effects of aqueous saffron extract (crocus sativus l.) on the acquisition and reinstatement of morphine-induced conditioned place preference in mice

objective: in the present study, the effects of aqueous saffron extract (crocus sativus l.) on the acquisition and reinstatement of morphine-induced conditioned place preference (cpp) in mice were investigated. materials and methods: subcutaneous administration of morphine (40 mg/kg for four days) produced place preference. intraperitoneal administration of aqueous extract (40 and 80 mg/kg for four days) 30 min before the morphine administration decreased the acquisition of morphine cpp. in other groups of animal, following extinction of a place preference induced by morphine (40 mg/kg), single administration of morphine (10 mg/kg) reinstated the place reference. the aqueous extract (80 mg/kg) 30 min before this priming dose of morphine blocked morphine-induced reinstatement of place preference. results: these results show that aqueous saffron extract can reduce the acquisition and reinstatement of morphine-induced conditioned place preference.