title: Phytotherapy of opioid dependence and withdrawal syndrome: a review.
abstract: Development of tolerance and dependence is a major problem associated with opioid treatment. Withdrawal syndrome is common between medical and illicit users of these agents. Phytomedicine has shown promise in the treatment of this complicated psychosomatic condition. In this study, the effects of plant extracts and active components on morphine dependence and withdrawal syndrome are discussed. Proper keywords were used to search through PubMed, Google Scholar, and SciVerse, as well as two local scientific databases, www.iranmedex.com and www.SID.com. All relevant results (original articles, meeting abstracts, patents, etc.) published from 2000 to 2013 were chosen for final review. A total of 35 plant species were studied on this subject. Plants from Lamiaceae, Ranunculaceae, and Apiaceae families were especially effective. A few studies were carried out on human subjects and the rest in animal models. Opioid dependence and withdrawal syndrome remain an intimidating challenge. Nonetheless, plants and their derivatives are suitable sources for their treatment. Although there are several plants shown to be effective in animal models, few clinical studies are available.
authors.affiliation: Pharmaceutical Research Center, Department of Pharmacodynamics and Toxicology, School of Pharmacy, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
authors.forename: Seyed Meghdad
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Tabatabai
authors.forename: Saeedeh
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Dashti
authors.forename: Fatemeh
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Doosti
authors.forename: Hossein
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Hosseinzadeh
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D019661:Apiaceae / Q000737:chemistry; D006801:Humans; D019686:Lamiaceae / Q000737:chemistry; D009021:Morphine Dependence / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D029626:Ranunculaceae / Q000737:chemistry; D013375:Substance Withdrawal Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D010936:Plant Extracts
keywords: herbal remedy; morphine; opioid dependence; phytotherapy; tolerance; withdrawal syndrome