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Background and purpose: Addiction and dependence on substances in modern societies is a common phenomenon and one of the main causes of people's disability and also reducing their quality of life. In the past years, researchers have proposed different treatment methods for the treatment of opioid use disorders, the most important of which are treatment with agonist drugs such as methadone, buprenorphine, and opium tincture (opium syrup). Stopping the use of these drugs is associated with symptoms called opioid withdrawal syndrome, which can include things like diarrhea, pain in the limbs, sweating, heart palpitations, anxiety, stress, runny nose, and restlessness. Research has shown that some medicinal plants can be somewhat effective in reducing the mentioned symptoms. Among these, the Ajwain plant has received much attention due to its frequent consumption in Iran and its significant effects in reducing the symptoms mentioned above in other diseases. Ajwain is a one-year plant whose most important compounds include thymol, carone, limonene, and dilapiol, and among these phenolic compounds are the main components of this plant, which are responsible for its bioactive properties. Therefore, we tried to introduce its effectiveness in this review study, emphasizing the capabilities of this plant in the treatment of opioid withdrawal syndrome. Materials and methods: This study is a research of the narrative review type in which the information sources used were selected and included in the survey from Scopus, PubMed, Google Scholar, and Science Direct databases - during the last 23 years. Keywords Ajwain, addiction, morphine, naloxone, methadone, and withdrawal syndrome were searched in the mentioned databases. Finally, the selected articles have been evaluated and the results have been summarized and reported in tabulated format. Results: The results of this study have shown that the use of herbal medicine can be effective in reducing dependence and also in reducing the symptoms of opioid withdrawal syndrome. In addition, several studies have shown that plants that have a high percentage of thymol in their composition can significantly reduce the symptoms of opioid withdrawal syndrome by affecting the serotonergic, cholinergic, GABAergic, and adrenergic systems. The mechanism of the thymol effect in Ajwain can be attributed to sodium channel inhibition chloride channel stimulation and increased expression of GABA A receptors. Conclusion: Since the opioid withdrawal syndrome is considered a determining factor for the continued use of opioids and relapse, it seems that less dangerous solutions should be sought to treat the complications caused by the opioid withdrawal syndrome. The results of the current review study have also shown the effective role of herbal medicine in controlling the symptoms of opioid withdrawal syndrome. Therefore, due to the importance of the topic, its wide application, easy access in the geography of Iran, and the cost-effectiveness of this medicinal plant, it is suggested to conduct further studies in this field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objective: Methadone is a synthetic opioid which is used in opium addiction therapy and relief of acute and chronic pain. Side effects of Methadone were reported on heart and induction of Torsade De Pointes disease and increase QTc interval in electrocardiogram. This study was conducted to determine the effect of Methadone therapy on QTc interval in electrocardiogram and its relationship with dosage and duration of Methadone therapy. Method: This cohort study was conducted on 60 opium addicted patients (57 males, 3 females) whom referred to "Methadone Therapy Clinic" in 5 Azar teaching hospital in Gorgan, northern Iran during 2009-10. Patients were divided to three groups based on the dosage of methadone: 0-35 mg (27 cases), 35-55 mg (27 cases) and 55-120 mg (26 cases) per day. QTc interval in electrocardiogram was measured at the beginning of study, one month and 5 months afterward. Results: The mean±SD of QTc interval in patients at the beginning, one month and 5 months afterward of study was 0.42±0.027, 0.43±0.029 and 0.43±0.041 seconds, respectively. There was a significant increase in QTc interval after one month of methadone therapy, compared to the beginning of study. There was no significant difference in QTc interval between 1 month and 5 months following methadone therapy. There was no significant difference between QTc interval and different dosage of methadone. Conclusion: Methadone therapy increase QTc interval but there is not any relationship between dosage and duration of methadone therapy and QTc interval. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Infertility is one of the most serious social problems. Illicit drug use can be an important cause of male factor infertility. Kerack which its use is rising up in Iran refers to a high purity street-level heroin (heroin Kerack). Heroin Kerack used in Iran is an opioid and has harmful effects on body organs. The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of Kerack used in Iran on fertility adult mice. Methods: In this study, 25 male mice were divided into five groups (control, sham and three experimental). Experimental groups of Kerack-dependent mice (received ascending dose of Kerack for seven days) were divided into three categories, experimental I, II and III. Experimental I was given Kerack at a dose of 5 mg/kg, experimental II 35 mg/kg and experimental III 70 mg/kg, intraperitoneally twice a day for a period of 35 days. The sham group received normal saline and lemon juice (2.6 μl/ml) whilst the control group just received water and food. Mice were then scarified and sperm removed from cauda epididymis were analyzed for sperm count, motility, morphology (normal/abnormal) and viability. Testes were also removed, weighed and processed for light microscopic studies. Results: The results showed that fertility were significantly decreased in addicted mice compared with control groups (P⩽0.05). Epididymal sperm parameters and thickness of seminiferous epithelium were significantly decreased in experimental groups (dosedependent) compared with sham and control groups (P⩽0.05). Gonadosomatic index was significantly reduced with high dose Kerack injected (70 mg/kg) in comparison with control testes (P⩽0.05). Conclusion: This study has shown the deleterious effects of Kerack used in addicted Iranian people on fertility for the first time. This effect is especially on epididymal sperm parameters in adult mice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]