PURPOSE: Verify, from a morphologic and tensional view point, the effect of the 10% aqueous extract of aroeira-do-sertão on the colonic anastomosis, during the occurrence of 10% acetic acid induced colitis, in Wistar rats. METHODS: There were used 48 Wistar rats, distributed in two groups. All animals were subjected to induction of colitis by aqueous solution of 10% acetic acid. Twenty-four hours later, the animals were subjected to laparotomy, transverse total colotomy and end-to-end anastomosis with 5-0 polypropylene. Group A (vehicle), animals treated with carboxymethylcellulose based vehicle. Group B (aroeira), animals treated with 10% aroeira aqueous extract. Both treatments were by means of enema. Groups A and B were distributed in subgroups A3, A7, A14 and A21; B3, B7, B14 and B21, according to the foreseen euthanasia date (days 3, 7, 14 and 21). On these dates, the animals were relaparotomized, the colonic segment containing the anastomosis was ressected, subjected to the pressure test and then to the histological analysis. For the morphologic study, the slides were dyed with hematoxilin-eosine and the healing status was evaluated based on a score chart that ranked from 0 to 16. The higher the score, the better the healing. RESULTS: On the evaluation of the morphologic study, which quantifies the evolution and degree of healing, as a final result of the healing process, the group aroeira was superior to the group vehicle (p<0,05) on the twenty-first day, showing higher velocity on tissue repair that occurs by regeneration and not by fibrosis. With respect to the tension test, there was a statistically significant difference on day 3, with predominance of the group aroeira over the group vehicle (p<0,05). CONCLUSION: The 10% aroeira-do-sertão aqueous extract, has healing activity on the colonic anstomosis during the occurrence of 10% acetic acid induced colitis. It improves the resistance to tension on the colonic anastomosis zone on the 3rd day.
Colorectal surgery; Colitis; Plants, Medicinal; Acetic acid
