Proactive role of citric acid and tyrosine in nicotine addiction and controlling withdrawal symptoms in Wistar rats

Abstract

Nicotine deaddiction is not an easy job because regular exposure to nicotine leads to the development of neuroadaptation, neuroadaptation increases the number of binding sites on the nicotinic cholinergic receptors in the brain, this may be due to nicotine-mediated desensitization of receptors. Therefore the present study evaluate the commonly available substances like CA (Citric acid) and TY (Tyrosine) that can bring down the nicotine levels and maintain the dopamine levels without altering the nicotine intake. Thirty six animals were divided into 6 groups (n=6). Group-1 rats served as control and received only food and water while group (2) animals received only nicotine (600 µg/kg bw) by subcutaneous route for 21 consecutive days. Group (3-4) received both nicotine with CA 100 mg/kg bw oral and nicotine with CA 200mg/kg bw oral respectively for 21 days. Similarly group (5-6) received both nicotine with TY 100 mg/kg bw oral and nicotine with TY 200mg/kg bw oral respectively for 21 days. From 22nd day, animals in groups 3 to 6 alone received respectively CA (100 and 200 mg/kg bw; oral) and TY (100 and 200 mg/kg bw; oral) for another 5 days. On day 26, the animals in all groups were sacrificed and the blood was collected. It was observed that the nicotine level was significantly less in CA 100 mg and TY 200 mg doses. There was a significant increase in dopamine level in the nicotine treated group-2 when compared to normal control group-1. The same showed a slight decrease in CA and TY treated groups as compared to nicotine-treated group-2. Hence it is concluded that CA and TY have the ability to reduce the effect of nicotine levels and maintain the dopamine levels that can sustain the level of nicotine. This possibly can control the withdrawal symptoms of nicotine addiction and curtail craving for nicotine in the long run and most probably might lead to the cessation of smoking or tobacco consumption.