Effects of Root Extracts of Withania Coagulans on Withdrawal Syndrome in Albino Mice

Abstract

It is known that repeated use of opioid drugs causes physical dependence and tolerance. Dependance can be measured by evocation of abstinence sign by abrupt drug withdrawal or administration of a narcotic antagonist or both. After induction of dependence by morphine, mice are divided in to seven groups using distilled water as the control group. The other six groups were injected by different concentrations of plant root extract. To assess morphine withdrawal, mice injected naloxone (5 mg/kg) i.p. on the day 4 th after three consecutive days of morphine injection, withdrawal syndrome was assessed by placing each mouse in a 30 cm high glass box and recording the incidence of escape jumps for 60 mins. Animal receiving acute treatment with morphine displayed dependence. The Albino mice treated with alcoholic, chloro- form and ethyl acetate extracts of Withania coagulans roots could decrease incidence of escape jumps in number or de- crease development of morphine dependence and other hand addiction following naloxone administration.