Effects of Valeriane Officinalis, Satureja Hortensis, and Mentha Piperita extracts on the withdrawal syndrome signs in mice

Several studies have demonstrated the antinociceptive, anti-inflammatory, sedative and smooth muscle relaxant activities of the Valeriane Officinalis (VO), Satureja Hortensis (SH), and Mentha Piperita (MP). The aim of this study was to determine the effects of the aqueous or hydroalcoholic extracts from these plants on morphine withdrawal syndrome signs in mice.

112 male albino mice (25-30 g) were used. Morphine was used to produce drug dependency by Marshall method. Different doses of the aqueous extracts of VO (25, 50, 100 mg/kg) and SH (25, 50, 100, 200 mg/kg IP) and the hydroalcoholic extract of MP (50, 100, 200, 500 mg/kg IP) were injected to morphine-dependent mice 30 min before the naloxone injection (2mg/kg). Control mice received saline. The severity of the morphine withdrawal responses was estimated by recordeing the number of jumping and the amount of weight feces during 3o min after naloxone injection.

The results showed that the extracts of VO (25 mg/kg), SH (200 mg/kg), and MP (all doses) significantly (P<0.05) decreased the number of jumping. Also, the VO (50 and 100 mg/kg), SH and MP (all tested doses) significantly decreased the weight of stool

Our findings indicate that the extracts of VO, SH, and MP may diminish the morphine withdrawal syndrome signs.