Intra-peritoneal administration of Ecballium elaterium diminishes postoperative adhesions

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effects of Ecballium elaterium (EE), Elaterium officinarum, in postoperative intraperitoneal adhesions in rats. METHODS: Thirty rats were divided into three groups and underwent midline laparotomy under 35 mg/kg ketamine and 5 mg/kg xylazine anaesthesia. In group 1 (n=10), the sham operation group, the abdominal walls were closed without any process. In group 2 (n=10), the control group, the antimesenteric border of the ceacum and the corresponding parietal peritoneum were abraded with dry sterile gauze. In group 3 (n=10), the EE group, 2.5 mg/kg dose of EE was administered as intraperitoneally to the rats after abrasion. All rats were sacrificed on postoperative day 15. Samples were obtained RESULTS: The adhesion score was significantly decreased in the EE group (p=0.001) in comparison with the control group. Microscopically, the EE and sham groups were significantly lower than that of the control group (p<0.001 and p=0.000, respectively). Furthermore, the measurement of tissue levels of hydroxyproline was significantly lower in the sham and EE groups compared to the control group (sham group 47.6 ± 10.6, EE group 62.9 ± 9.7, Control group 84.2 ± 22.1 mg /L/g-tissue). CONCLUSION: The grade and severity of abdominal adhesion could be significantly reduced through administered Ecballium elaterium and therefore be a suitable anti-inflammatory agent for the prevention of postoperative peritoneal adhesion in the future. .