Effects of Aqueous and Ethanolic Leaf Extracts of Mentha Longifolia on Morphine Dependence in Mice

The effects of aqueous and ethanolic leaf extracts of Mentha Longifolia on morphine dependence were examined in mice. Dependence was induced using subcutaneous injections of morphine daily for 3 days. On day 4, the last dose of morphine was injected 2 h perior the intraperitoneal injection of naloxone. The number of episods of jumping during 30 minutes after injection of naloxane was considered as the intensity of the withdrawal syndrome. Phytochemical study indicated that both the aqueous and ethanolic extracts have alkaloid and flavonoid. The extracts were injected at different doses 0.5 and 1 hour before and 0.5 hour after the last injection of morphine. The extracts reduced the number of jumping episods. In open field test, the ethanolic (lower doses) and aqueous extracts decreased locomotion activity. It is concluded that the aqueous and ethanolic leaf extracts of M. longifolia could diminish morphine withdrawal syndrome.