Sidiming attenuates morphine withdrawal syndrome and nitric oxide (synthase) levels in morphine-dependent rats and rhesus monkeys

摘要

The present study analyzed the effects of Sidiming, a Chinese herbal compound, on withdrawal syndrome, body weight loss, and serum levels of nitric oxide and its synthase in morphine- dependent rats and rhesus monkeys. These effects were compared with clonidine, an active control drug used for clinical treatment. Results showed that 4 and 8 g/kg Sidiming, respectively, significantly suppressed morphine withdrawal syndrome and reduced body mass loss in morphine-dependent rats. In addition, 2.4 and 4.8 g/kg Sidiming, respectively, significantly attenuated withdrawal syndrome in rhesus monkeys. High-dose Sidiming (8 g/kg in rats and 4.8 g/kg in rhesus monkeys) led to significantly inhibited serum levels of nitric oxide and its synthase in morphine-dependent rats and rhesus monkeys, which were greater than clonidine. These findings suggested that Sidiming treatment attenuated withdrawal syndrome in morphine-dependent rats and rhesus monkeys by inhibiting serum nitric oxide and its synthase.