Effect of hydroalcoholic extract of Avena sativa L. on morphine withdrawal signs in male mice

Background and It showed that antidepressants may reduce the abuse potential of opioid. In other hand، studies showed avena sativa has antidepressant and sedative properties. So the aim of this study was to investigate the effect of ethanolic extract of Avena sativa on morphine withdrawal signs in male mice. In this experimental study forty male NMRI mice (20-30 g) were randomly divided into 5 groups of 8: control groups received morphine and normal saline (10ml/kg) and other groups received ethanol (3%) and different doses of ethanolic extract of Avena sativa (50،100 and 200mg/kg). Morphine dependency was induced using a four- day schedule method with 50، 50، 75 and 50 mg/kg dosing respectively. In fourth day 2 hours after single dose of morphine، naloxone was injected (5 mg /kg) and withdrawal signs were recorded with number of jumping and diarrhea، grooming، wet dog shake، teeth chattering، writing، climbing as scores of 0 to 3 during 30min. The data were expressed with one-way ANOVA for quantities and Mann-Whitney U test for qualities data’s and they were analyzed with SPSS 15 and P values less than 0. 05 were considered significant. The present study findings showed that all doses of ethanolic extract of Avena sativa compared to control group، significantly and dose- dependently decrease the number of jumping in morphine dependent mice (56. 12±6. 46، 40. 0±5. 33 and 31. 5±2. 5 respectively)) P<0. 05 and P<0. 01 respectively). Grooming and teeth chattering also decreased with all doses of extract (P<0. 05). Wet dog shakes، climbing and rearing significantly decreased only by high doses (200mg/kg) of extract. Diarrhea also decreased with 100 and 200 mg/kg of extract (P<0. 05). Findings of present study showed that hydroalcoholic extract of avena sativa attenuate morphine withdrawal signs. But، Further studies need to be carried out to better understanding of their mechanism.