Prevention effect of Matricaria recutita L. on withdrawal syndrome in morphine dependent female rats

Addiction to opiates such as morphine is in one of the major public health problems. Some reports show that Matrivaria chamomilla extract contains flavonoids, which exert Benzodiazepine – like activity and inhibited the expression of abstinence syndrome in morphine dependent animals. Objective: to determined and comparison the effect of Matricaria chamomilla extract injection on morphine withdrawal syndrome signs (MWS) in rats.

Material and Methods: 32 male rats (200–300gr) (n=8) were tested in 2 groups: control and morphine groups (twice daily for 10 days) and divided in 4 sub groups: (1) saline only group, (2) morphine group were received 10mg/kg morphine for 10 days, (3) Matricaria chamomilla group –25 and 50mg/kg I.P 30min before Morphine administration and (4) Methadone group. In day 10, 30min before naloxan administration. In the end of training day all groups were received naloxane (5mg/kg I.P) 3h after last injection of morphine and then the frequencies of withdrawal behavior were assessed for 30min.

Results: Our results show that I.P administration of MC extract dose dependently attenuates most of morphine withdrawal syndrome. Conclusion: These result suggested that ip injection of Matricaria chamomilla might be helpful in the treatment of morphine withdrawal syndrome. There is a need for additional research and study of the medicinal plants and herbal medicine with respect to the treatment of addiction.