Phoenix dactylifera Linn as a potential novel anti-oxidant in treating major opioid toxicity

Article history: Received on: 16/02/2015 Revised on: 03/04/2015 Accepted on: 17/06/2015 Available online: 28/08/2015 The use of opioids has gain popularity in the field of medicine especially in treating chronic terminally ill patients. Unfortunately, several adverse effects in relation to its use have been reported. Literature search on the adversity of opioids in treating pain, its paradoxical hyperalgesic effects and susceptibility to addiction were conducted using Pubmed, Embase and Google Scholar without species limitation. This brief article focuses on the corresponding neuro-protective, hepato-protective, anti-inflammatory, ulcero-protective and nephronprotective functions of (Phoenix dactylifera L) to elaborate on evidences, mechanisms, modulatory and pharmacological significance to counteract adverse effects of opioid treatment and provide insight on the underlying mechanisms of addiction.