title: Rhodiola rosea L. extract and its active compound salidroside antagonized both induction and reinstatement of nicotine place preference in mice.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Conventional pharmacological treatments for drug addiction aim to reduce three most important aspects: withdrawal syndrome, craving, and relapse. Pharmacological treatments currently available for the treatment of tobacco smoking are able to alleviate withdrawal symptoms but are not sufficiently effective in reducing craving and rarely effective to prevent relapse. Rhodiola rosea L., a well-known traditional oriental medicine with anxiolytic, antidepressive, antistress, and adaptogenic properties, has been recently shown to be effective in the prevention and treatment of nicotine-withdrawal symptoms.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The present study used the conditioned place preference (CPP) model to systematically investigate, in mice, the effects of a R. rosea L. extract (RHO) and its active compound salidroside (SDS), on the reinforcing properties of nicotine and their efficacy in the vulnerability to reinstatement.
  
  
  METHODS
  To study the effects on the rewarding properties of nicotine, RHO (10, 15, and 20 mg/kg) and SDS (0.2 mg/kg) were tested both in the acquisition and expression of CPP induced by nicotine injection (0.5 mg/kg). Moreover, the efficacy of RHO and SDS in preventing relapse induced by nicotine priming (0.1 mg/kg, s.c.) and by restraint stress was also evaluated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Results showed the ability of RHO and salidroside to significantly reduce the rewarding properties of nicotine at all doses tested. RHO and SDS also suppressed both priming- and stress-induced reinstatement of CPP.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The present study showed the positive effects of R. rosea L. in reducing rewarding properties and preventing relapse to nicotine and evidenced the important role of salidroside in the effects of the extract.
authors.affiliation: School of Pharmacy, Pharmacognosy Unit, University of Camerino, Via Madonna delle Carceri 9, 62032, Camerino (MC), Italy.
authors.forename: Federica
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Titomanlio
authors.forename: Marina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Perfumi
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Mattioli
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001245:Association Learning / Q000187:drug effects*; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects; D003216:Conditioning, Operant / Q000187:drug effects*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005960:Glucosides / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051379:Mice; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000187:drug effects; D009538:Nicotine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D010636:Phenols / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*; D029771:Rhodiola
chemical_list: D005960:Glucosides; D010636:Phenols; D010936:Plant Extracts; D009538:Nicotine; C009172:rhodioloside