[Extract of Passiflora edulis in the healing of colonic anastomosis in rats: a tensiometric and morphologic study].

BACKGROUND

Investigation of new substances with therapeutic effects have been done trying to isolate, extract or purify new compounds of vegetable origin. The Passiflora edulis (maracujá) species from the Plassifloracia family, originated from the tropical and subtropical regions of the american continent, is found all over Brazil. It is commonly used as a sedative, painkiller and anti-inflammatory drug and also for the treatment of skin wounds, lesions and Erisipelae.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the wound healing in colonic anastomosis in rats that received an hydro-alcoholic extract of Passiflora edulis peri-operatively.

METHODS

40 wistar rats were used distributed into two groups of 20 rats each, named: Passiflora edulis group (GP) and control group (GC). The rats of each group were separated into two subgroups of 10 animals each and were evaluated on the 3rd and 7th postoperative days. The surgical procedure consisted of a section of the left colon, 5 cm above the peritoneal reflexion with preservation of the vascular elements. Intestinal continuity was restored by an end-to-end single layer anastomosis. The Passiflora edulis group received an intraperitoneal application of the hydro-alcoholic extract in the dosage of 250 mg/kg. The control-group received one intraperitoneal dose of a saline with the same volume of the GP. The parameters evaluated were: macroscopic aspects of the wall and abdominal cavity, perianastomotic (adherences), bursting pressure, inflammatory tissue reaction on the anastomotic wound.

RESULTS

The macroscopic aspects did not differ between the groups. No rupture in the anastomotic wound was seen in any rat. Regarding the bursting pressure, it was noticed that the average pressure was significantly higher in the subgroup that received the Passiflora edulis extract on the 3rd day (P3) (42.6 +/- 17.8 mmHg vs. 25.4 +/- 14.1 mmHg, p=0.028), as compared to the control sub-group (C3). However, on the 7th day, bursting pressure was similar in both groups (p=0.447). Rats from the C7 sub-group had a mean bursting pressure of 203.0 +/- 50.0 mmHg vs. 187.3 +/- 39.5 mmHg in the C7 sub-group. In the histologic analysis the polymorphic nuclear cells were more frequent in the C3 group, with significant differences (p=0.034). The monomorphic nuclear cells (MMN) and the fibroblastic proliferation were more frequent in the P3 sub-group with a significant difference, p=0.02 to MMN, and p=0.001 to the fibroblastic proliferation. On the 7th day there was a significant difference in all histologic criteria stained by hematoxin-eosin and Masson Trichomic (p<0.05) in the sub-group that received the Passiflora edulis extracts.

CONCLUSIONS

The peri-operative administration of the hydro-alcoholic extract of Passiflora edulis has a positive influence on the healing of colonic anastomosis in rats.