The Effect of Oral Administration of Datura Stramonium Seed on Morphine Dependent NMRI Male Rats

  Background & Objective : Chronic morphine consumption has a profound disturbing effect on central nervous system cased morphine dependence. Regarding to low efficacy of chemical drugs for relief of addiction, and with respect to recommendation of medicinal plant in new therapeutic medicine we use a most candidate herb Datura stramonum for this purpose.   Materials & Methods: Animals were addicted with escalating morphine consumption in drinking water. Naloxone (2.5mg/kg, i.p) was injected for precipitating of pharmacological withdrawal syndromes. The signs were observed for 40 min after naloxone injection. Physiological withdrawal syndrome was followed 48 h after disruption of morphine consumption. In treatment groups the ED50 dose of each drug were applied to the animals during addiction period.   Results: Our data show the dosage of 100 mg/kg of the extract close to effective dose (ED50). The grade physiological sign, ejaculation was significantly diminished by methadone and Datura seed consumption (p < 0.05). Also, teeth chattering sign was markedly reduced in methadone and Raha groups (p < 0.05). Also, the physiologic chocked sign diarrhea was markedly reduced by Datura seed and methadone. Pharmacological grade signs wet dog shakes and weight loss due to Datura seed and jumping sign by Datura seed, methadone and Raha were decreased more than control ones (Respectively p < 0.05 and 0.01). However, ejaculation sign by methadone and Datura seed and teeth chattering signs by methadone, Datura seed and Raha were significantly relieved. In addition the pharmacological chocked sign diarrhea was more significantly diminished by Datura seed and methadone.   Conclusion: The present study show regarding a little disperse effect of the extract comparison to methadone, meanwhile it have no significant effect on physiological withdrawal signs. However comparison of the effects of methadone and the extract on pharmacological withdrawal syndrome show the more potency of the extract on relief of the signs. Finally, the future investigation on effective components of the extract and its cell signaling pathways were recommended.