Berberine hydrochloride attenuates voluntary methamphetamine consumption and anxiety-like behaviors via modulation of oxytocin receptors in methamphetamine …

MM Alavijeh, G Vaezi, M Khaksari, V Hojati - Physiology & behavior, 2019 - Elsevier
MM Alavijeh, G Vaezi, M Khaksari, V Hojati
Physiology & behavior, 2019Elsevier
Objective Methamphetamine (METH) addiction is recognized as one of the major public
health concerns, with no approved pharmacological agents for treatment. Berberine
hydrochloride, an isoquinoline alkaloid in plants, induces antipsychotic and anxiolytic
effects. Hence, we hypothesized that berberine may modulate the METH-induced rewarding
effects. Materials and methods In this study, three groups of rat including control (N= 10),
METH+ vehicle (N= 10), and METH+ berberine (N= 10) were kept in separate cages one …
Objective
Methamphetamine (METH) addiction is recognized as one of the major public health concerns, with no approved pharmacological agents for treatment. Berberine hydrochloride, an isoquinoline alkaloid in plants, induces antipsychotic and anxiolytic effects. Hence, we hypothesized that berberine may modulate the METH-induced rewarding effects.
Materials and methods
In this study, three groups of rat including control (N = 10), METH + vehicle (N = 10), and METH + berberine (N = 10) were kept in separate cages one day before expriments. METH (20 mg/L) was dissolved in tap water inside a bottle, while there was only tap water in the control bottle. Two groups received free METH solutions for two weeks (up to 12 mg/kg). Afterwards, they were abstianced for three weeks. Only one group received 100 mg/kg/day of berberine. After three weeks, locomotor activity and anxiety (elevated plus maze test) were evaluated, then the two-bottles choice model was used for one week to evaluate drug preferences. Finally, the brain of rats was removed for evaluation of oxytocin receptor expression via immunofluorescence staining method.
Results
The results showed that METH preference was lower in the berberine + METH group during drug intake compared to the METH group (P < .05). During withdrawal, berberine reduced anxiety-like behaviors (P < .05) and decreased locomotor activity versus the METH group (P < .001). Also, berberine increased numbers of oxytocin receptors in comparison with the METH group (P < .01).
Conclusion
Considering the modulation of oxytocin receptors, berberine may be considered as a potential therapeutic agent for METH addiction.
Elsevier
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