Effects of the fruit essential oil of Cuminum cyminum L. on the acquisition and expression of morphine-induced conditioned place preference in mice

Abstract

Rewarding properties of opioids are now accepted and widely discussed. These properties can lead to long-term usage of these substances. The main purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of Cuminum cyminum fruit essential oil (FEO) on the acquisition and expression of morphine-induced conditioned place preference (CPP) in mice. CPP was induced by subcutaneous (s.c.) injection of morphine (5mg/kg) in 3 days conditioning schedule. Intraperitoneal (i.p.) administration of Cumin FEO (0.001%, 0.01%, 0.1%, 0.5%, 1% and 2%; 5ml/kg) or Tween-80 (0.5%; 5ml/kg) did not show any conditioning effects. Administration of Cumin FEO (0.001–2%; 5ml/kg; i.p.), 60min before test on day 5 (expression) decreased the conditioning scores at the doses of 1% and 2% while i.p. injection of Cumin FEO (0.001–2%; 5ml/kg), 60min before morphine injection (5mg/kg; s.c.) during 3 days of conditioning session (acquisition) significantly resulted in decrement of rewarding properties of morphine at the doses of 0.1%, 0.5%, 1% and 2% in dose-dependent manner. Tween-80 as a vehicle did not suppress the acquisition and expression of morphine-induced CPP. The results showed that the C. cyminum fruit essential oil reduces the acquisition and expression of morphine-induced conditioned place preference in mice.