Research Article

The inhibitory effect of Hypericum perforatum extract on morphine withdrawal syndrome in rat and comparison with clonidine

  1. Amir Feily1,*,
  2. Naser Abbasi2

Article first published online: 15 APR 2009

DOI: 10.1002/ptr.2807

Issue

Phytotherapy Research

Phytotherapy Research

Volume 23, Issue 11, pages 1549–1552, November 2009

Additional Information

How to Cite

Feily, A. and Abbasi, N. (2009), The inhibitory effect of Hypericum perforatum extract on morphine withdrawal syndrome in rat and comparison with clonidine. Phytotherapy Research, 23: 1549–1552. doi: 10.1002/ptr.2807

Author Information

  1. 1

    Department of Dermatology, Imam Khomeini Hospital, Jondishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran

  2. 2

    Department of Pharmacology, Ilam University of Medical Sciences, Ilam, Iran

*Department of Dermatology, Imam Khomeini Hospital, Jondishapur University of Medical Sciences Ahvaz, Iran.

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 23 OCT 2009
  2. Article first published online: 15 APR 2009
  3. Manuscript Revised: 28 JAN 2009
  4. Manuscript Accepted: 28 JAN 2009
  5. Manuscript Received: 8 JAN 2009

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Keywords:

  • Hypericum perforatum extract;
  • morphine withdrawal;
  • clonidine

Abstract

The effects of Hypericum perforatum (St John's wort) on morphine withdrawal syndrome and comparison with clonidine have been investigated in morphine-dependent rats. Adult male Wistar rats were subjects. The frequencies of withdrawal behavioral signs (rearing, teeth chattering and jumping) induced by naloxone challenge were demonstrated in morphine dependent rats receiving Hypericum perforatum extract (HPE), saline or clonidine. The withdrawal behavioral manifestations in rats were inhibited significantly by chronic co-administration of Hypericum perforatum extract or clonidine with morphine. This study showed that clonidine was more effective than HPE at a dose of 0.4 mL/200 g and there was no significant statistical difference between the mean frequency of withdrawal signs of HPE at a dose of 0.8 mL/200 g compared with clonidine (0.2 mg/kg i.p.) but at a dose of 1.2 mL/200 g of HPE was significantly stronger than clonidine in attenuation of the morphine withdrawal syndrome.

The findings suggest that HPE is capable of reducing the symptoms of opiate withdrawal and its effectiveness may be equivalent to clonidine in reducing the opiate withdrawal syndrome and may have human therapeutic potential. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

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