The Potential Role of Neuroprotective Effects of Kratom (Mitragyna Speciosa) on Brain Aging

Data from World Health Organization (WHO) shows that the number of people aged ۶۰ years old and above will increase from ۶۰۵ million to ۲ billion from the year ۲۰۰۰ to the year ۲۰۵۰ (Rahim et al., ۲۰۱۸). Malaysia is currently battling with the increasing number of elderly and aging people. By ۲۰۳۵, ۱۵% of Malaysians will be considered senior citizens (Rahim et al., ۲۰۱۸). This is considered an issue because older adults tend to get more age-related diseases than younger ones. Aging is a natural phenomenon. It reduces a certain number of presynaptic vesicles, nerve terminals, and nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) and increases motor endplate space in the neuromuscular junction (NMJ) function to move the muscles. This is why aged people have trouble doing extreme physical activity (Pour et al., ۲۰۱۷). Aging can be associated with immune system impairment and cognitive and motor deterioration ۳. This is called brain aging. It is an irreversible process related to oxidative stress levels (Ma et al., ۲۰۱۹). Physical aging has its symptoms that can be seen, such as gloom and thinning of the skin (Pour et al., ۲۰۱۷). Whereas for brain aging, symptoms can be observed through their memory and behavioral changes. These changes can be seen through a few diseases like dementia, Alzheimer’s disease (AD), and Parkinson’s disease (PD).