Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the role of ethanolic extract and methanolic fraction of the roots of Delphinium denudatum Wall. in morphine dependence. Methods: Wistar albino rats were made moderately and severely morphine dependent by administering morphine sulphate in a dose of 10 mg /kg (i.p.) for 4 days and by increasing doses of 10 -100 mg/kg (i.p.) for 7 days twice daily, respectively. The signs of spontaneous abstinence syndrome in both studies were recorded 12 hours after the last dose of morphine for 30 minutes and quantified by the 'counted' and 'checked' signs. Ethanolic extract (EEDD) and methanolic fraction (MFDD) of Delphinium denudatum was administered p.o. in different regimen: (a) 300 mg/kg (p.o.) of ethanolic extract or 200 mg/kg (p.o.) of methanolic fraction along with morphine twice daily for 4 days in moderately and 7 days in severely induced morphine dependence group, (b) Single dose of ethanolic extract 600 mg/kg (p.o.) or methanolic fraction of 400 mg/kg (p.o.) 10 h after the last dose of morphine in both moderately and severely induced morphine dependence rats. Result: Administration of EEDD and MFDD orally in both morphine dependent groups caused significant reduction in scores of counted and checked signs of morphine abstinence syndrome as compared to morphine control group. The reduction was observed more in regimen 'b' as compared to regimen 'a'. Conclusion: EEDD and MFDD of Delphinium denudatum root significantly reduced the mean scores of various 'counted signs' and 'checked signs’ of morphine withdrawal syndrome and could thus be proved to be an alternative remedy in morphine de-addiction.

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