RESUMO
Addiction to opiates such as morphine is one of major public health problems. It has been shown that in addicted animals, administration of antioxidant agents such as vitamin C can reduce the withdrawal symptoms [WDS]. The aim of this study was to evaluate the preventional effect of grapefruit juice [Citrus Paradisi Macf.] on withdrawal symptoms in rats. In this experimental study, Sixteen male Wistar rats [250-300g] randomly divided into two groups [n=8]. All animals were addicted by intraperitoneal [i.p] injection of morphine [the 1-3 days: 10 mg/kg, the 4-6 days: 20 mg/kg and the 7-9 days 40 mg/kg; daily] for 9 days. The first group received 2 ml Citrus Paradisi Macf. orally 1 hour before morphine administration. The sham group received 2 ml of normal saline. Naloxone [10mg/kg, s.c] was administrated 45 minutes after of an additional dose of morphine [40 mg/kg] in the tenth day for withdrawal symptoms inducing. Then withdrawal symptoms such as frequency of wet-dog shaking, teeth chattering, defecation and penis licking were evaluated for 30 minutes. All withdrawal symptoms including frequency of wet-dog shaking, teeth chattering, defecation and penis licking were reduced in the Citrus Paradisi Macf. group in comparison with the sham group significantly [p < 0.05]. Our results showed that presumably antioxidant activity of Citrus Paradisi Macf. can reduce withdrawal symptoms. Although the exact mechanisms of its effect in brain need to be elucidate