title: Effects of berberine on acquisition and reinstatement of morphine-induced conditioned place preference in mice.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  It has been shown that berberine, a major component of Berberis vulgaris extract, modulates the activity of several neurotransmitter systems including dopamine (Da) and N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) contributing to rewarding and reinforcing effects of morphine. Drug craving and relapsing even after a long time of abstinence therapy are the most important problems of addiction. In the present study, we investigated the alleviating effects of berberine on the acquisition and reinstatement of morphine-induced conditioned place preference (CPP) in mice.
  
  
  METHODS
  In male NMRI mice, the acquisition of CPP was established by 40 mg/kg of morphine sulphate injection and extinguished after the extinction training and reinstated by a 10 mg/kg injection of morphine. The effects of different doses of berberine (5, 10, and 20 mg/kg) on the acquisition and reinstatement induced by morphine were evaluated in a conditioned place preference test.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The results showed that intraperitoneal administration of berberine (5, 10, and 20 mg/kg) did not induce conditioned appetitive or aversive effects. Injection of berberine (10 and 20 mg/kg) 2 h before the morphine administration reduced acquisition of morphine-induced CPP. In addition, same doses of berberine significantly prevented the reinstatement of morphine-induced CPP.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results suggest that berberine can reduce the acquisition and reinstatement of morphine-induced conditioned place preference and may be useful in treatment of morphine addiction.
authors.affiliation: School of Pharmacy, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
authors.forename: Faezeh
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Vahdati Hassani
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Pharmacy, Zabol University of Medical Sciences, Zabol, Iran.
authors.forename: Mahmoud
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hashemzaei
authors.affiliation: School of Pharmacy, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
authors.forename: Edris
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Akbari
authors.affiliation: School of Pharmacy, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
authors.forename: Mohsen
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Imenshahidi
authors.affiliation: Pharmaceutical Research Center, Department of Pharmacodynamics and Toxicology, School of Pharmacy, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
authors.forename: Hossein
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Hosseinzadeh
keywords: Berberine; Berberis vulgaris; Conditioned Place Preference; Morphine; Mouse