Effects of ibogaine on acute signs of morphine withdrawal in rats: independence from tremor.

Abstract

Because of the claim that ibogaine suppresses the symptoms of "narcotic withdrawal" in humans, the effect of ibogaine on naltrexone-precipitated withdrawal signs in morphine-dependent rats was assessed. Morphine was administered subcutaneously through implanted silicone reservoirs for 5 days. Ibogaine (20, 40 or 80 mg/kg, i.p.) or saline was administered 30 min prior to challenge with naltrexone (1 mg/kg, i.p.) and withdrawal signs were counted for the following 2 hr. Ibogaine (40 and 80 mg/kg) significantly reduced the occurrence of four signs (wet-dog shakes, grooming, teeth chattering and diarrhea) during naltrexone-precipitated withdrawal; three other signs (weight loss, burying and flinching) were unaffected. Ibogaine induces head and body tremors lasting for 2-3 hr and the tremors might have interfered with the expression of opioid withdrawal. To examine this issue, another experiment was conducted in which ibogaine (40 mg/kg) or saline was administered 4 hr prior to challenge with naltrexone. Although there was a complete absence of tremors, ibogaine still significantly reduced the occurrence of the same four signs of withdrawal.

• Authors: S D Glick, K Rossman, N C Rao, I M Maisonneuve, J N Carlson
• Journal: Neuropharmacology (Neuropharmacology) Vol. 31 Issue 5 Pg. 497-500 (May 1992) ISSN: 0028-3908 [Print] England
• PMID: 1528400 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.)

Chemical References

• Ibogaine
• Morphine

Topics

• Acute Disease
• Animals
• Ibogaine (pharmacology)
• Male
• Morphine (adverse effects)
• Rats
• Rats, Inbred Strains
• Substance Withdrawal Syndrome (prevention & control)
• Tremor (chemically induced)