Dendrosomal Curcumin Nanoformulation Attenuates Naloxone Precipitated Morphine Withdrawal Signs in Rats

Abstract

Curcuminis known to possess a wide range of therapeutic and pharmacological properties as anti-inflammatory, antitumor, antinociceptive and neuroprotective agents. The recent achievements of nanotechnology illustrate a novel approach in treatment of drug abuse and addiction. Curcumin as a new candidate can be exploited for drug abuse treatment, but its low bioavailability and water solubility is the most important obstacles and limits its application. Here, curcumin was efficiently encapsulated in a nontoxic nanocarrier, labeled dendrosome, to overcome these problems. The present study is designed to investigate the effect of intraperitoneal (i.p.) administration of Dendrosomal curcumin (DNC) on the behavioral signs of morphine withdrawal syndrome. Male Wistar rats weighing 250-300 g were rendered dependent on morphine by subcutaneous (s.c.) administration of morphine sulfate (6, 16, 26, 36, 46, 56 and 66 mg/kg, 2 ml/kg) at set intervals of 24 h for 7 days. The animals received i.p. administration of DNC(12.5 mg/kg) immediately after each morphine injection. On day 8, naloxone (2 mg/ kg, i.p.) was injected and behavioral signs of morphine withdrawal were assessed for 25 min. Our results show that i.p. injection of DNC significantly decreases naloxone precipitated morphine withdrawal signs. The present study indicates that intraperitoneal administration of Dendrosomal curcumin exerts a significant effect on morphine dependency in rats.