Nature cures nature: Hypericum perforatum attenuates physical withdrawal signs in opium dependent rats. (May 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Khan, Munasib; Subhan, Fazal; Khan, Arif-ullah; Abbas, Muzaffar; Ali, Gowhar; Rauf, Khalid; Gilani, Anwarul Hassan
• Is Part Of: Pharmaceutical biology. Volume 52:Number 5(2014:May)
• Page Start: 586
• Page End: 590
• Publication Date: 2014-05
• Subjects: Pharmacognosy -- Periodicals; Materia medica, Vegetable -- Periodicals; 615.321
• DOI: 10.3109/13880209.2013.854811
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1388-0209

Abstract

<abstract> <title>Abstract</title> <p> <italic>Context: Hypericum perforatum</italic> Linn. (Hypericaceae) (St. John's wort) attenuates opium withdrawal signs.</p> <p> <italic>Aim:</italic> To explore the therapeutic potential of <italic>Hypericum perforatum</italic> in the management of opium-induced withdrawal syndrome.</p> <p> <italic>Materials and methods:</italic> The effect of the <italic>Hypericum perforatum</italic> hydro-ethanol extract was investigated for potential to reverse naloxone (0.25 mg/kg)-induced opium withdrawal physical signs. Rats received opium extract (80–650 mg/kg) twice daily for 8 days along with <italic>Hypericum perforatum</italic> (20 mg/kg, orally) twice daily in chronic treatment and the same single dose 1 h before induction of withdrawal syndrome in the acute treated group.</p> <p> <italic>Results: Hypericum perforatum</italic> reduced stereotype jumps and wet dog shake number in the chronic treatment compared to the saline control group (<italic>F</italic>(2, 24) = 3.968, <italic>p</italic> < 0. 05) and (<italic>F</italic>(2, 24) = 3.689, <italic>p</italic> < 0.05), respectively. The plant extract in the acutely treated group reduced diarrhea (<italic>F</italic>(2, 24) = 4.850, <italic>p</italic> < 0. 05 vs. saline). It decreased rectal temperature by chronic treatment at 30 min (<italic>F</italic>(2, 24) = 4.88, <italic>p</italic> < 0.05), 60 min (<italic>F</italic>(2, 240 = 5.364, <italic>p</italic> < 0.01) and 120 min (<italic>F</italic>(2, 24) = 4.907, <italic>p</italic> < 0.05).</p> <p> <italic>Discussion and conclusion:</italic> This study reveals that the extract of <italic>Hypericum perforatum</italic> attenuates some physical signs of opium withdrawal syndrome possibly through direct or indirect interaction with opioid receptors. Further study is needed to clarify its mechanism.</p> </abstract>