Sidiming attenuates morphine withdrawal syndrome and nitric oxide (synthase) levels in morphine-dependent rats and rhesus monkeys

The present study analyzed the effects of Sidiming, a Chinese herbal compound, on withdrawal syndrome, body weight loss, and serum levels of nitric oxide and its synthase in morphine- dependent rats and rhesus monkeys. These effects were compared with clonidine, an active control drug used for clinical treatment. Results showed that 4 and 8 g/kg Sidiming, respectively, significantly suppressed morphine withdrawal syndrome and reduced body mass loss in morphine-dependent rats. In addition, 2.4 and 4.8 g/kg Sidiming, respectively, significantly attenuated withdrawal syndrome in rhesus monkeys. High-dose Sidiming （8 g/kg in rats and 4.8 g/kg in rhesus monkeys） led to significantly inhibited serum levels of nitric oxide and its synthase in morphine-dependent rats and rhesus monkeys, which were greater than clonidine. These findings suggested that Sidiming treatment attenuated withdrawal syndrome in morphine-dependent rats and rhesus monkeys by inhibiting serum nitric oxide and its synthase.

Effect of testosterone on morphine withdrawal syndrome in rats

Aim： To determine whether testosterone is involved in morphine withdrawal syndrome （WS）. Methods： In order to induce dependency, rats were treated with subcutaneous injection of morphine （days 1-2, 5 mg/kg; days 3-5, 7.5 mg/kg; days 6-8, 10 mg/kg）, and after the last dose of morphine （day 8） WS was induced by intraperitoneal injection of naloxone （1 mg/kg）. Wet dog shake （WDS）, abdomen writhing （AW）, and jumps （J） were recorded as indicators of WS. Results： The severity of WDS, AW, and J in male rats was greater than that in females. Accordingly, in 4-week castrated and flutamide-treated （10 mg/kg/day for 8 days, i.p.） male rats, WDS, AW, and J were significantly decreased compared to male control rats. Testosterone replacement therapy （10 mg/kg/day for 8 days, i.m.） in 4-week castrated rats restored the severity of WDS, AW, and J behaviors to the level of non-castrated male rats, whereas testosterone potentiated the WDS behavior in non-castrated male rats. Conclusion： It can be concluded that testosterone might be effectively involved in morphine WS.

Protective effect of Ocimum sanctum Linn. leaf extract on ethanol withdrawal syndrome in Wistar rats

Objective: To evaluate the effects of Oscimum sanctum L(O. sanctum), an important medicinal herb, on alcohol withdrawal syndrome in Wistar rats. Methods: Liquid diet with 7.2%, v/v ethanol was administered to the rats for 21 d. Control group animals received sucrose as an isocaloric liquid diet. After alcohol withdrawal, rats were examined at 6 th and 24 th hour for major withdrawal signs that included anxiety and hyper locomotor activity. Ethanol withdrawal anxiety was tested using elevated plus maze, light and dark model; the hyper locomotor activity using actophotometer. O. sanctum leaf extract(100, 200 and 300 mg/kg, oral) and diazepam(2 mg/kg, i.p) were administered to the treatment group animals 30 min before alcohol withdrawal estimation. Drug treatment was also given 30 min before the second observation at 24 th hour. On the last day of the protocol, rats were sacrificed by cervical dislocation liver, kidney and brain were isolated and preserved in formalin for further histopathological examination. Results: Findings from the present study revealed that O. Sanctum leaf extract treatment at doses 100, 200 and 300 mg/kg, oral had a significant protective effect on signs and symptoms of ethanol withdrawal in alcohol-dependent rats. However, no remarkable pathological and microscopic alterations were observed in histopathological examination. Conclusions: O. sanctum seems to be an active drug for the treatment of alcohol abstinence syndrome.

Research progress on benzodiazepines to treat alcohol withdrawal syndrome

Alcohol withdrawal syndrome(AWS)refers to a series of symptoms and signs that chronic al-coholics experience when they suddenly stop drinking or reduce their drinking,usually 12 to 24 h later.These in-clude tremors,fatigue,sweating,hyperreflexia,and gas-trointestinal symptoms.This article will analyze the drug treatment of this disease and make a brief review.

Phenobarbital in the treatment of alcohol withdrawal syndrome

Alcohol withdrawal syndrome(AWS)is a serious disorder affecting alcohol-dependent patients who abruptly stop or reduce their drinking.Mild or moderate AWS usually appears within 6 to 24 h after the last drink,and symptoms may include increased blood pressure and rapid pulse,tremors,high fever,irritability,anxiety,headache,nausea,and vomiting.These symptoms may progress to a more severe AWS characterized by delirium tremens,seizures,coma,cardiac arrest,and death.This article will analyze the phenobarbital(PB)treatment of AWS and make a brief review'.

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor and Bcl-2 expression in rat brain areas following chronic morphine treatment

The ventral tegmental area and the locus coeruleus are associated with psychological and physical dependence of opioid addiction. To date, very little is known about brain-derived neurotrophic factor （BDNF） and Bcl-2 gene and protein changes following morphine addiction. The present study utilized immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization techniques, which revealed that there were increased BDNF levels, but decreased Bcl-2 levels in the prefrontal cortex, locus coeruleus, hippocampus, and the ventral tegmental area during morphine-dependence formation and abstinence. However, the levels of BDNF remained unchanged, and Bcl-2 expression was increased in the nucleus accumbens. These results showed that BDNF and Bcl-2 are involved in the development of morphine dependence, and precipitation of abstinence syndrome.