Effect of hydro-alcoholic extract of Carum copticum on withdrawal syndrome in adult rats addicted to morphine

Long-term use of opioid creates tolerance, physical and psychological dependence. Discontinuation of the drug, creating a shortage of endogenous opioids and withdrawal syndrome emerges. Addiction treatment in traditional medicine using of herbs such as Carum copticum which has many therapeutic effects. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of hydro-alcoholic extract of Carum copticum on withdrawal syndrome in adult rats addicted to morphine.
In this study 70 male Wistar rats divided into seven groups of 10. Six groups were addicted by injection of morphine sulfate (the first 5 days 10 mg/kg, the second 5 days 15 mg/kg and on the day from 11 to 21, 20 mg/kg) subcutaneously. Groups three, four and five were fed 10%, 20% of Carum copticum extract and methadone (mg/kg 5) after addiction of animals. Groups six and seven were given 10% and 20% of Carum copticum extract from the beginning to the end of period orally. Group one (control) and Group two (morphine) were fed daily 0.5 mL of saline orally to the end of the period (day 21 to 35). Data collected from body weight, jumping, itching and diarrhea of animals were analyzed by SPSS software, using Unpaired T test, ANOVA and LSD as post-hoc statistical tests.
Comparing the mean of weight loose of the animals in different treatment groups on day 21 with 35 showed statistical significant reduction in the group that received extract of Carum copticum 10%. On the day 21, itching and jumping, in the group that received extract of Carum copticum 10%, and the diarrhea, in the group that received the extract of Carum copticum 20% compared with the control group showed a significant decrease (P According to the results, hydro-alcoholic extract of carum copticum at concentration of 10 and 20% are effective in reducing withdrawal syndrome of morphine as like as methadone. With more comprehensive and broader researches It may be utilize of this extract as an alternative to methadone used in addiction treatment to reduce symptoms of opiate withdrawal.