Bangkok: Thai researchers have made significant strides in developing a pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory spray derived from mitragynine, a compound found in kratom leaves. This initiative, supported by the government, aims to provide an alternative to morphine and is expected to reach the market by mid-2026. Plans are also underway to develop kratom as an oral medication for cancer patients.

According to Thai News Agency, Ms. Sasikan Wattanachan, Deputy Government Spokesperson, stated that morphine is commonly used by medical professionals to treat severe pain. The Department of Medical Sciences, under the Ministry of Public Health, has developed a liquid kratom leaf extract to produce a spray, utilizing local knowledge and advanced technology to alleviate muscle pain. Initial studies on animals and cell cultures have demonstrated its effectiveness, and human trials are in progress to evaluate irritation and efficacy, with results anticipated by mid-2026.

The Department of Medical Sciences has achieved a breakthrough by extracting mitragynine from kratom leaves at a concentration 2 percent higher than the natural average, reaching purities between 10 percent and 50-60 percent. A collaboration with the Chulabhorn Research Institute further refined the extraction process, achieving 99.9 percent purity. This high-purity extract has been prepared as a standard solution of 1.0501 mg/ml under ISO 17034 standards for quality control in pain relief products.

Ms. Sasikarn emphasized the government’s commitment to supporting research on Thai medicinal plants, particularly kratom, which has demonstrated medical benefits for pain relief. Safety measures are a priority, and there is ongoing promotion of inter-agency collaboration to advance research and develop kratom into an oral morphine alternative for cancer patients.