Abstract

Background and Aim: Oliveria decumbens Vent is a medicinal plant used in Iranian traditional medicine for gastrointestinal disorders such as abdominal pain, indigestion and diarrhea. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of Oliveria decumbens Vent hydroalcoholic extract on morphine withdrawal symptoms and diarrhea in mice. Materials and Methods: 40 Mice weighing 20-30g were divided into 5 groups of eight. Negative control and positive control groups received normal saline and loperamide respectively. Treatment groups received 5, 50 and 500mg/kg of O.decumbens extract. Morphine dependency was induced by intraperitoneal injection of morphine for seven consecutive days. On the eighth day, one hour after the last dose of morphine, different doses of the extract; normal saline and loperamide were administered intraperitoneally and 30 minutes later naloxone was injected in to all groups to accelerate the onset of withdrawal symptoms. After 10 minutes withdrawal symptoms including jumps, standing and wet dog shakes started. Frequency and water content of stools and quality of stools (normal, loose, watery) were recorded for 60 minutes. Results: The result of this study showed that the extract of O. decumbens significantly and dose-dependently decreased the frequency of excretion, jumping, standing on feet, wet dog shakes and the amount of fecal water in the treatment groups compared to those in the control group. (P<0.05) Conclusion: O. decumbens extracts made a significant improvement in morphine withdrawal symptoms and diarrhea. © 2018 the Author (s).