title: Nature cures nature: Hypericum perforatum attenuates physical withdrawal signs in opium dependent rats.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Hypericum perforatum Linn. (Hypericaceae) (St. John's wort) attenuates opium withdrawal signs.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To explore the therapeutic potential of Hypericum perforatum in the management of opium-induced withdrawal syndrome.
  
  
  METHODS
  The effect of the Hypericum perforatum hydro-ethanol extract was investigated for potential to reverse naloxone (0.25 mg/kg)-induced opium withdrawal physical signs. Rats received opium extract (80-650 mg/kg) twice daily for 8 days along with Hypericum perforatum (20 mg/kg, orally) twice daily in chronic treatment and the same single dose 1 h before induction of withdrawal syndrome in the acute treated group.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Hypericum perforatum reduced stereotype jumps and wet dog shake number in the chronic treatment compared to the saline control group (F(2, 24) = 3.968, p < 0. 05) and (F(2, 24) = 3.689, p < 0.05), respectively. The plant extract in the acutely treated group reduced diarrhea (F(2, 24) = 4.850, p < 0. 05 vs. saline). It decreased rectal temperature by chronic treatment at 30 min (F(2, 24) = 4.88, p < 0.05), 60 min (F(2, 240 = 5.364, p < 0.01) and 120 min (F(2, 24) = 4.907, p < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study reveals that the extract of Hypericum perforatum attenuates some physical signs of opium withdrawal syndrome possibly through direct or indirect interaction with opioid receptors. Further study is needed to clarify its mechanism.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy, University of Peshawar , Peshawar , Pakistan .
authors.forename: Munasib
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Khan
authors.forename: Fazal
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Subhan
authors.forename: Arif-Ullah
authors.initials: AU
authors.lastname: Khan
authors.forename: Muzaffar
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Abbas
authors.forename: Gowhar
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ali
authors.forename: Khalid
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Rauf
authors.forename: Anwarul Hassan
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Gilani
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005260:Female; D020902:Hypericum / Q000737:chemistry*; D008297:Male; D009270:Naloxone / Q000494:pharmacology; D009292:Narcotic Antagonists / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009293:Opioid-Related Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D009892:Opium / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000633:toxicity*; D008517:Phytotherapy; D035261:Plant Components, Aerial / Q000737:chemistry; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D013375:Substance Withdrawal Syndrome / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology
chemical_list: D009292:Narcotic Antagonists; D010936:Plant Extracts; D009270:Naloxone; D009892:Opium