Serum Malondialdehyde Levels Decreased Along with the Alleviating Effects of Marrubium Parviflorum on Morphine Withdrawal Syndrome in Rats

As a major concern for the clinicians, better treatment of the patients hospitalized to quit opioid abuse has always been a target for the researchers working in this field. On the other hand, therapeutic potentials of medicinal plants are greatly becoming of interest to both researchers and consumers in recent years. Among the plants, we can mention those belonging to the genus Marrubium, which has been reported to exert many therapeutic outcomes. The aim of this research was to investigate the effect of Marrubium parviflorum on morphine withdrawal syndrome and the possible relationship with malondialdehyde (MDA), the indicator for lipid peroxidation which is elevated during the syndrome. To perform this study, ۴۸ rats were divided into ۶ groups as follows: ۱) Saline-Saline ۲) Saline-Morphine; ۳, ۴, ۵) Different doses of the extract-Morphine (۱۰, ۲۰ and ۴۰ mg.kg-۱); ۶) The most effective dose of the extract-Saline. In order to evaluate withdrawal syndrome, the increasing doses of morphine were injected subcutaneously for ۹ days followed by a single dose of naloxone (۴ mg.kg-۱, i.p.). Then the withdrawal symptoms was evaluated and total withdrawal score (TWS) was calculated. On the other hand, in order to confirm the effectiveness biochemically and to investigate the possible relationship between the observed effects and lipid peroxidation, blood samples were collected for malondialdehyde (MDA) measurement. According to the data, administration of the extract (in two higher doses) alleviated the syndrome-related behavioral signs as well as MDA levels significantly. Altogether, based on the results, aerial parts of Marrubium parviflorum seem to be beneficial for coping better with morphine withdrawal syndrome through complex pathways such as suppressing lipid peroxidation, further preclinical and clinical studies are required in this regard though.

Keywords:

Morphine , dependence , Marrubium parviflorum , Lipid peroxidation , malondialdehyde