Effects of the Crocus sativus L. extract on the acquisition and expression of morphine-induced conditioned place preference in female mice

Experiments indicated that Crocus sativus L. extract may have an interaction with morphine. The effects of C. sativus on the euphoric properties of morphine in female mice did not studied. In the present study, the effects of water extract of C. sativus stigma on the acquisition and expression of morphine-induced conditioned place preference [CPP] in female N-MARI mice [20-25 g] were investigated. This experimental study was conducted on the 136 female mice that were divided in 17 groups [n=8/group]. In a pilot study, different doses of morphine [1, 10 and 20 mg/kg] and the extract [10, 50 and 100 mg/kg] were injected to the animals for evaluation of the drugs ability to induction of place preference. In the second phase of the experiments, the extract of the C. sativus was administered during or after induction of morphine CPP. Then, CPP were tested in the animals. One-way Analysis of Variance [ANOVA] was proformed for statistical procedure. Administration of morphine [1, 10 and 20 mg/kg], increased the time spend in the compartment paired with morphine [i.e. conditioned place preference-CPP]. The increament was significant for the dose 10 and 20 mg/kg of morphine. Administration of the plant extract [50 mg/kg] also produced a significant CPP. Injection of the same doses of the extract before morphine [10 mg/kg] administration, caused a decrease in the time spent in drug-paired side in doses 50 and 100 mg/kg of the extract. In addition, injection of the plant extract in the test day to the animals in which received morphine [10 mg/kg] in the conditioning days decreased the expression of morphine CPP in the animals which was statisticaly significant for dose 10 mg/kg of the extract. It could be concluded that injection of the extract of C. sativus can inhibit the acquisition and expression of morphine-induced CPP. In addition, the extract produced CPP in female mice by it-self. These results indicated that saffron extract might be useful in morphine-induced psychological dependence in human as well

[Effects of papaver rhoeas L. extract on the expression and development of morphine-induced conditioned place preference in mice]

In the present study, the effects of water-alcohol extract of Papaver rhoeas on the expression and acquisition of morphine-induced Conditioned Place Preference [CPP] in male N-MARI mice [20-25 g] were investigated. In a pilot study, different doses of morphine or the extract were administered to the animals to indicate whether the drugs could induce place preference in particular apparatus. In the second part of the experiment, the animals received different doses of extract 30 min before each morphine injection [acquisition] or 30 min before beginning of the test [expression]. Subcutaneous [SC] administration of morphine [1, 10 and 20 mg/kg] produced place preference. On the other hand, intra peritoneal [IP] administration of the plant extracts [25, 50 and 100 mg/kg] did not show any effect. Injection of extract [25, 50 and 100 mg/kg, IP] 30 min before the morphine administration decreased the acquisition of morphine CPP. Administration of the plant extract [25, 50 and 100 mg/kg, IP] 30 min before the test increased the expression of morphine-induced CPP. It could be concluded that the extract of Papaver rhoeas reduced the acquisition, but did not influence the expression of morphine-induced conditioned place preference in mice

[Effect of oral morphine administration on fertility of Balb/c mice]

In addition to have side effects on adults and embryos, abused drugs by affective sex and hypophysial hormones can reduce germ cells and sexual drive resulting infertility in human. Aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of addiction to morphine-induced infertility in Balb/c mice. For these purpose, a control [n=6] and 21 experimental [n=363] groups were used. Then oral morphine with initial doses [0.01, 0.05 and 0.1 mg/ml of water] in a 3 weeks period was administered to the animals and then the animals were crossed to each other. On 17th day of pregnancy, female rats were anesthetized by ether and the embryos were taken out surgically. Results showed that in all groups the birth chance were reduced according to the control group. The reduction was observed in group, which was treated with 0.01 morphine. Therefore it is concluded that morphine extremely reduced the birth chance in mice and may reduce fertility in animals and this may be reliable for human