Abstract
As a major concern for the clinicians, better treatment of the patients hospitalized to stop opioid abuse has always been a target for the researchers working in this field. On the other hand, the therapeutic potential of medicinal plants has become of great interest to both researchers and consumers in recent years. Among the plants, we can mention those belonging to the genus Marrubium, which have been reported to exert many therapeutic effects. The aim of this research was to investigate the effect of Marrubium parviflorum on morphine withdrawal syndrome and its possible relationship with malondialdehyde (MDA), the indicator of lipid peroxidation that is elevated during the syndrome. To perform this study, 48 rats were divided into 6 groups as follows: 1) Saline-Saline 2) Saline-Morphine; 3, 4, 5) Different doses of the Extract-Morphine (10, 20 and 40 mg.kg(-1)); 6) and the most effective dose of the extract-Saline. To evaluate the withdrawal syndrome, the increasing doses of morphine were injected subcutaneously for 9 days followed by a single dose of naloxone (4 mg.kg(-1), i.p.). Withdrawal symptoms were then assessedand the total withdrawal score (TWS) was calculated. On the other hand, to confirm the efficacy biochemically and to investigate the possible relationship between the observed effects and lipid peroxidation, blood samples were taken for malondialdehyde (MDA) measurement. According to the data, administration of the extract (in two higher doses) significantly alleviated the syndrome-related behavioral signs as well as MDA levels significantly. Overally, based on the results, aerial parts of Marrubium parviflorum seem to be beneficial for better coping with morphine withdrawal syndrome through complex pathways such as suppressing lipid peroxidation, further preclinical and clinical studies are required.