Study of Benzodiazepine like Effects of Matricaria Recutita on Morphine Withdrawal Syndrome in Adult Male Rats

Some studies have shown that Matricaria recutita (M. recutita) have sedative effect on pain, anxiety and morphine withdrawal syndrome (MWS). Since some investigations have indicated the sedative effects of benzodiazepines in MWS, so the inhibitory factor of M. recutita may be related to some of its benzodiazepine-like components. In this study sedative properties of M. recutita in the presence and absence of flumazenil as a benzodiazepine receptors antagonist in MWS were investigated. In this study Wistar male adult rats (250±20gr) were used. Using a vial morphine sulfate solution, morphine dependence induced with increasing doses injection subcutaneously at six days and on day seven the last dose was injected. Then four hours later Naloxone (3mg/kg, i.p.) was injected for induction of morphine withdrawal syndrome. In each group, the withdrawal signs of climbing, jumping and face washing were measured for half an hour immediately in presence and absence of M. recutita extract (25mg/kg) and Flumazenil (1mg/kg). M. recutita decreased significantly the number of climbing in comparison to control group (P<0.001), but it had not significant effect on other signs. Flumazenil increased significantly the signs of jumping (P<0.01), face washing (P<0.05) in comparison to control group. M. recutita in the presence of flumazenil had not sedative effect and the climbing behavior increased significantly (P<0.05). The sedative effect of M. recutita on morphine withdrawal syndrome is probably related to it’s benzodiazepine like components that act on benzodiazepine receptors.