Preventive effect of grapefruit juice (Citrus Paradisi Macf.) on morphine withdrawal symptome in male rats

Addiction to opiates such as morphine is one of major public health problems. It has been shown that in addicted animals, administration of antioxidant agents such as vitamin C can reduce the withdrawal symptoms (WDS). The aim of this study was to evaluate the preventional effect of grapefruit juice (Citrus Paradisi Macf.) on withdrawal symptoms in rats. In this experimental study, Sixteen male Wistar rats (250-300g) randomly divided into two groups (n=8). All animals were addicted by intraperitoneal (i.p) injection of morphine (the 1-3 days: 10 mg/kg, the 4-6 days: 20 mg/kg and the 7-9 days 40 mg/kg daily) for 9 days. The first group received 2 ml Citrus Paradisi Macf. orally 1 hour before morphine administration. The sham group received 2 ml of normal saline. Naloxone (10mg/kg, s.c) was administrated 45 minutes after of an additional dose of morphine (40 mg/kg) in the tenth day for withdrawal symptoms inducing. Then withdrawal symptoms such as frequency of wet-dog shaking, teeth chattering, defecation and penis licking were evaluated for 30 minutes. All withdrawal symptoms including frequency of wet-dog shaking, teeth chattering, defecation and penis licking were reduced in the Citrus Paradisi Macf. group in comparison with the sham group significantly (p<0.05). Our results showed that presumably antioxidant activity of Citrus Paradisi Macf. can reduce withdrawal symptoms. Although the exact mechanisms of its effect in brain need to be elucidate.