Artemisia absinthium L. (Wormwood) Extract Effect on 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine Withdrawal in Rats: An Animal Study.

In rats, a 10% or 25% ethanolic extract of Artemisia absinthium (wormwood) reduced the severity of certain withdrawal symptoms—such as writhing, body dragging, teeth chattering, and diarrhea—induced by MDMA and naloxone. Lower concentrations (5%) and the MDMA-only group were not well tolerated. The extract's anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and neuroprotective properties may underlie these effects, but further research is needed to optimize dosing for managing addiction withdrawal.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Methamphetamine is a common addictive industrial substance. Medicinal plants such as Artemisia absinthium L. with anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, analgesic, neuroprotective, antidepressant, and antipyretic properties may help patients reduce withdrawal syndrome symptoms. Five treatment groups received intraperitoneal (i.p.) injections of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) and an ethanolic extract of A. absinthium diluted in 0.9% normal saline for 7 days. The animals were assigned to five groups: Group I (Control): NaCl 0.9%+Naloxone (SN), administered daily via intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection; Group II: MDMA+NaCl 0.9%+Naloxone (MSN), administered daily via i.p. injection; Groups III, IV, and V: MDMA+NaCl 0.9%+Naloxone+ethanolic Artemisia absinthium extract at concentrations of 5%, 10%, and 25% (MSNA), respectively, administered daily via i.p. injection. To induce withdrawal syndrome, two hours after the last injection of MDMA on the 7th day, naloxone was injected (i.p.) at a dose of 1 mg/kg, and rats were quickly transferred to glass cylinders, and the symptoms of MDMA withdrawal syndrome based on stomach cramp, diarrhea, bruxism, body dragging, and wet dog shakes were recorded within 30 minutes. The MSN and MSNA 5% interventions may not be well-tolerated and could require reevaluation to minimize adverse effects; however, MSNA 10% and MSNA 25% showed reduced severity, suggesting potential for better tolerability and effectiveness in managing symptoms like writhing, body dragging, teeth chattering, and diarrhea. It appears that 10% and 25% ethanolic extracts of A. absinthium can lessen certain behavioral signs associated with animal addiction withdrawal. We need more research to optimize dosages for better results.