effect of oral feeding of Tribulus terrestris L. on sex hormone and gonadotropin levels in addicted male rats

Opioids can exert adverse effects on the body. Morphine, an opioid drug, reduces hormone levels and fertility, and causes sexual activity disorders. Tribulus terrestris [TT] is a traditional herbal medicine used to enhance sexual activities. This study investigates the possible role of TT on sex hormones and gonadotropins with the intent to show its usefulness in treating fertility disorders in opioid users. In this experimental study, we randomly divided 48 rats into four groups: i. control, ii. TT-treated, iii. addicted and iv. TT-treated addicted. Watersoluble morphine was administrated orally for 21 days to induce addiction, after which the treated groups 2 and 4 received plant-mixed pelleted food [6.25%] orally for four weeks. At the end of the treatment period, the sex hormone and gonadotropin levels of all rats' sera were determined by radioimmunoassay and Elisa kits. The data obtained were statistically analyzed using the one-way analysis of variance, followed by post-hoc Tukey test. P<0.05 was considered significant. The addicted group had a significantly lower luteinizing hormone [LH] level than the control group [p<0.027]. LH levels increased significantly in the TT-treated addicted group [p<0.031]. The testosterone level in the treated addicted group was lower than the treated control group. The addicted group had a significantly low testosterone level [p<0.001]. The estrogen level was significantly [p<0.002] lower in the addicted group than in the control group. In addition, there was a significant difference between the treated addicted group and the treated control group [p<0.048]. The treated control group had a significant increase in its progesterone level [p<0.002]. Overall, except for follicle-stimulating hormone [FSH], morphine reduced most of the gonadotropins and sexual hormones. Whereas TT caused a considerable increase [p<0.05] in the hormones in the treated addicted group, there was only a slight increase in the treated control group. Oral consumption of TT could markedly antagonize the reduction of sex hormones and gonadotropins [except for FSH] due to morphine addiction

[Study and comparison of the effect of oral administration of peganum harmala seeds and methadone on morphine withdrawal syndrome in rats]

Addiction, especially morphine dependence is a prevalence and incurable disease. With Regard to low ability of new chemical drugs in treatment of addicted ones and with respect to herbal medicine recommendation due to lower side effects and cheap production. This study experimentally examined the effect of P. harmala on morphine withdrawal syndrome. Animals were addicted with escalating morphine consumption in drinking water within 21 days. Naloxone [2.5 mg/kg, i. p] was injected for precipitating of pharmacological withdrawal syndromes. The signs were observed for 40 min after naloxone injection. Physiological withdrawal syndromes were followed 48 h after disruption of morphine consumption. In the treatment groups P. harmala [6.25% in food pellaete], methadone and Raha with 30 mg/kg and 1.7 l/kg were respectively prescribed via drinking water. The grade physiological sign, ejaculation was significantly diminished by methadone consumption [P<0.05]. Also, teeth chattering sign was markedly reduced in methadone Peganum h., and Raha groups [P<0.05]. Also, the physiologic chocked sign diarrhea was markedly reduced by methadone. Jumping, ejaculation and teeth cattering pharmacological grade signs were decreased in Peganum, methadone and raha groups more than control ones. Also diarrhea pharmacologic sign was diminished by Peganum and methadone significantly. Finally, if methadone could decrease both physiological and pharmacologic Opiate withdrawal score [OWS], but the effect of Peganum in reduction of physiological OWS is more significant than methadone group. The data from peganum show that this plant could diminished both pharmacological and physiological withdrawal signs in morphine dependent rats. However it was found that its effect for of morphine physiological withdrawal signs is more potent than methadone and raha treatment groups