Possible Interaction: Morphine and Ginseng

“Our results demonstrated that WG extract might be effective at inhibiting the anxiety and depression responses due to morphine withdrawal by possibly modulating the hypothalamus CRF and NPY systems.”

“Thus, the dual actions of ginseng are associated with the detoxification of morphine.”

“Analgesic effects of opioids, such as morphine and U-50,488H, were blocked by ginseng in a non-opioid dependent manner.”

“Furthermore, ginseng inhibited the tolerance to and dependence on morphine , and prevented the suppressive effect on the development of morphine tolerance caused by co-exposure to foot-shock stress, but not psychological stress.”

“On the other hand, behavioral sensitization (reverse tolerance to ambulation-accelerating effect) to morphine , methamphetamine (MAP) and cocaine was also inhibited by ginseng.”

“Analgesic effects of opioids, such as morphine and U-50, 488H, were blocked by ginseng in a nonopioid dependent manner.”

“Furthermore, ginseng inhibited the tolerance to and dependence on morphine , and eliminated the suppressive effect of the development of morphine tolerance by coexposure to footshock stress, but not psychological stress.”

“On the other hand, behavior sensitization (reverse tolerance to their ambulation-accelerating effect) to morphine , methamphetamine and cocaine was also inhibited by ginseng.”

“Previous studies have reported that some of the central effects of morphine are counteracted by the administration of the methanolic extract of the root of Indian ginseng , Withania somnifera Dunal (WSE).”

“It suggests that WG extract may be effective for inhibiting the behavioral effects of morphine by possibly modulating the central dopaminergic system and that WG might be a useful resource to develop an agent for preventing and treating morphine addiction.”

“It was demonstrated that the inhibitory effect of WG on the behavioral sensitization after repeated exposure to morphine was closely associated with the reduction of dopamine biosynthesis and postsynaptic neuronal activity.”

“Daily administration of ginseng extract (6.25-50.0 mg/kg) for 3 days inhibited the development of tolerance to the analgesic effect but not to the hyperthermic effect of morphine in the four pellet schedule.”

“In six pellet schedule, daily administration of ginseng extract (25 and 50 mg/kg) for 7 days also inhibited the development of tolerance to the analgesic effect of morphine , but the 100 mg/kg dose had no effect.”

“It is concluded that in appropriate doses, ginseng extract has inhibitory activity on the development of tolerance to the pharmacological actions of morphine.”

“On the other hand, in six pellet schedule, the administration of ginseng extract (50 and 100 mg/kg) once daily for 7 days inhibited the development of tolerance to the hyperthermic effect of morphine.”

“Administration of morphine (50 mg/kg) produced cataleptic effect which was antagonized by 25 mg/kg of ginseng.”

“The analgesic response to morphine was antagonized by 25 and 50 mg/kg doses of ginseng but not by 12.5, 100 and 200 mg/kg doses.”

“The results suggest that ginseng extract at high doses produces analgesia and hypothermia in the rat by a non-opiate mechanism, and antagonizes the acute pharmacological effects of morphine.”