Evaluation the effect of chronic intraperitoneal administration of methanolic extract of aerial parts of Marrubium parviflorum on morphine withdrawal syndrome in male rat

Abstract

Introduction: Long-term consumption of morphine will cause tolerance and dependence. During morphine withdrawal syndrome, increasing inflammatory factors and changes in the activity of the receptors. Several mechanisms (activation of NMDA receptors, oxidative stress, etc.) have been proposed to explain opioid dependence. Marrubium parviflorum has effects on the inflammation process, anti-oxidant. So it would probably be able to reduce morphine withdrawal signs. Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of chronic administration of M. parviflorum methanol extract in the development of morphine withdrawal syndrome in male rats. Methods: Male wistar rats were divided into seven groups randomly, including: morphine + saline (vehicle), saline + saline, and M. parviflorum (10,20,40mg/kg) + morphine and extract 40mg/kg + saline. The rats were rendered morphine-dependent by injection of additive doses of morphine subcutaneously for 9-days. On the 9th day, 1 hour after the last dose of morphine, naloxone (4 mg/kg i.p) was injected. Withdrawal behaviors were evaluated for 60 minutes. Data were analyzed with one-way ANOVA and Tukey past-test, p values less than 0.05 were considered significant. The blood samples were then taken to measure MDA. Results: The results showed that M. parviflorum could reduce morphine withdrawal syndrome and total withdrawal score (TWS). I.P injection of M. parviflorum significantly reduced the TWS in comparison the morphine-vehicle treated group (p<0.05).(20 and 40 mg/kg) of the extract with (p<0.001) significantly reduced TWS. MDA level was also reduced by 40mg/kg of M. parviflorum.

Conclusion: The results of the present study indicated that M. parviflorum has beneficial effects in reducing withdrawal syndrome of morphine.