Abstract
The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effect of Afghan Ferula assa-foetida L. and Crocus Sativus L. aqueous extracts either alone or in combination on morphine withdrawal signs. For this purpose, rats were randomly divided into 13 groups (1 Normal, 1 Morphine, 4 Ferula assa-foetida-treated groups, 4 Crocus sativus-treated groups, and 3 combination groups). Morphine dependency was rendered by subcutaneous injection of morphine hydrochloride for 4 days (10, 20 and 40 mg/kg doses twice daily for 3 days and a single dose of 60 mg/kg on 4th day). Various doses of extracts were injected into extract groups simultaneously with morphine. After two hours of last morphine administration, withdrawal signs were induced by naloxone (3 mg/kg) and noted for 30 minutes. According to the results, different doses of Ferula assa-foetida and Crocus sativus extracts and their combination (in low dose) could significantly decrease the number of morphine withdrawal signs (P<0.05). However, the combination of Ferula assa-foetida and Crocus sativus extracts in high doses showed toxic effects. In conclusion, Ferula assa-foetida and Crocus sativus extract combination in low dose can decrease the morphine withdrawal signs, but without any synergic effects.
Highlights
Morphine and other opioids are known as the most potent analgesic drugs
Because of the beneficial properties of Ferula assa-foetida and Crocus sativus in the treatment of morphine dependency [29,37] and better outcomes of herbs combinations in the treatment of disease [21], the present study investigates the effect of Ferula assa-foetida and Crocus sativus extracts either alone or in combination on morphine withdrawal signs, using behavioral method
A considerable decrease was seen in the number of paw tremor in each foetida aqueous extract (FAAE) 25 (0.83±0.17), 50 (0.50±0.34), 75 (0.83±0.17) and 100 mg/kg (0.67±0.33) groups and morphine group (9.33±1.58) (P
Summary
Morphine and other opioids are known as the most potent analgesic drugs. These drugs are widely used for alleviation of acute and chronic pain [1,2,3]. Use of morphine for a long-term period can induce adaptive changes in the brain that are responsible for morphine tolerance and dependency development [4,5]. Morphine dependency is a recurrent, chronic disorder, associated with intensive desire and unlimited use of morphine with inappropriate social and occupational behavior [6,7]. Lack of morphine leads to the development of many withdrawal signs including pain, sweating, tachycardia, insomnia, depression and anxiety [8]. Multiple neurotransmitter systems are involved in opioid dependency and withdrawal signs, including GABAergic, dopaminergic, orexinergic and noradrenergic [9,10,11,12,13,14,15]
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