Preventive effects of crocin and meloxicam on morphine withdrawal symptoms in mice: behavioral and biochemical insights.

Background: The development of opioid-induced dependency is associated with several mechanisms, including oxidative stress, increase in inflammatory cytokines, and the activation of the glutamatergic system. This study investigates the effects of crocin, a bioactive compound from saffron, and meloxicam, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, on morphine withdrawal symptoms in male albino mice.

Methods: Ten groups, each consisting of nine mice, were randomly assigned to receive different treatments once daily for four days. On the fourth day, to assess the impact of the drugs on morphine dependency, naloxone was administered two hours after the final morphine injection. Withdrawal symptoms, specifically the frequency of jumping and standing on feet, were recorded over a 30-minute observation period for each mice. Additionally, to evaluate the effects of these drugs on pro-inflammatory cytokines, blood samples were collected from the animals' hearts, and tests for TNF-α levels were conducted.

Results: Behavioral assessments following naloxone-precipitated withdrawal showed that crocin and meloxicam (20 mg/kg) significantly reduced withdrawal behaviors, including jumping and standing. Additionally, serum TNF-α levels were significantly decreased in groups treated with crocin, indicating its potential anti-inflammatory effects.

Conclusion: These findings indicate that crocin and meloxicam could potentially mitigate morphine withdrawal symptoms in mice, underscoring their promising therapeutic applications in the management of opioid dependence.