Evaluation of the effect of chronic administration of hydroalcholic extract of Artemisia Splendens in tolerance to the antinociceptive effects of morphine in male rats

Abstract

Long-term use of opioids causes tolerance, and the patient has to take a higher dose of the drug to be effective, in which case we will see more severe side effects such as morphine dependence. Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of chronic consumption of hydroalcoholic extract of Artemisia Splendens on tolerance to the analgesic effects of morphine in male rats.Methods:Hydroalcoholic extract of Artemisia Splendens was prepared by maceration. The studied animals were adult male Wistar rats in the weight range of 275-225 g, which were divided into 7 groups of eight, including morphine control group, saline control group, 3 groups receiving three different doses of plant extract with morphine, and the group receiving the extract. The plant was studied together with morphine and the group receiving the most effective dose of morphine-free plant extract. One day in the middle of half an hour after injection, hot plate test was performed for tolerance tests. Results:In the group receiving morphine (10 mg/Kg) and extract carrier (HS 30%) on day 9 and groups receiving plant extract at doses of 100 mg/Kg, 200 mg/Kg and 400 mg/Kg with morphine (10 mg/Kg) showed morphine tolerance on days 11, 15 and 7, respectively. Serum levels od malondialdehyde were lower significantly (p<0.001) in the groups receiving the most effective dose of the extract than the morphine group. Conclusion:According to the obtained results and based on the analysis of data obtained from the effect of hydroalcoholic extract of Artemisia Splendens, probably Artemisia Splendens extract due to its anti-inflammatory ad anti-oxidant effects has decreased the rate of morphine tolerance. Further studies are needed to better understand it.