Honokiol decreases intra-abdominal adhesion formation in a rat model

Objective

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of honokiol, a natural molecule that was shown to have antioxidant effects, in prevention of intra-abdominal adhesion formation in a rat model.

Method 

This study was conducted on a total of 40 non-pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats which were divided into 4 groups as follows: sham, control, saline and honokiol groups. Both uterine horns of the rats in control, saline and honokiol groups were exposed and a 2 cm segment of the anti-mesenteric surface of both uterine horns was traumatized by a scalpel. The saline group was administered 2 ml of saline/day intraperitoneally for 5 days following the operation. The honokiol group, on the other hand, was administered honokiol intraperitoneally at a dose of 1 mg/kg/day for 5 days following the operation. On postoperative day 14, 3 mL of intracardiac blood sample was taken from the rats for biochemical analyses, and the rats were sacrificed this way. From the blood samples Total antioxidant status (TAC) and Total oxidant status (TOS) levels were studied. The adhesions were evaluated according to the microscopic adhesions classification of Zuhlke et al. Skin tissues were also evaluated for the presence of inflammation, granulation tissue and fibrosis.

Results 

Adhesion and inflammation scores were all significantly lower in the honokiol group compared to the saline and control groups (p<0.008)(Figure 1a,1b,1c).Similarly, fibrosis score was significantly lower in the honokiol group compared to the saline group (p<0.008)(Figure 2a,2b,2c). However, in comparison of TAS and TOS levels; there was no significant difference between groups (Table 1).

Conclusion 

Honokiol was found to be effective in prevention of intra-abdominal adhesion formation in a rat model. However, larger studies are needed to shed light on the exact role of honokiol in intra-abdominal adhesion formation and determine the molecular aspects of the promising results found in this study.

Keywords

Honokiol, intra-abdominal adhesions,rat

	File/Dsecription
	Figure 1 1.a. Grade 0 adhesion in a rat of the sham group (H&E, 100x) b. Grade 1 adhesion in a rat of the honokiol group (H&E, 100x) c. Grade 3 adhesion in a rat of the saline group (H&E, 100x) d. Grade 3 adhesion in a rat of the control group
	Figure 2 2a. Normal appearance of the skin in a rat of the sham group (H&E, 100x) b. An area of complete epithelialization, worn off granulation tissue and decreased inflammation in a rat of the honokiol group (H&E, 100x) c. An area deprived of epithelializat
	Table 1 Statistical findings (p values) of the study groups with regard to histological and biochemical data