Effects of Topical Treatment With Euphorbia Tirucalli Latex on the Survival and Intestinal Adhesions in Rats With Experimental Peritonitis

Abstract

Background: The use of plants of the family Euphorbiaceae, particularly Euphorbia tirucalli (avelós) has been popularly widespread for treating a variety of diseases of infectious, tumoral, and inflammatory. Aim: To demonstrated antimicrobial and immunomodulatory effects of these extracts, evaluating the effect of a topical treatment with an aqueous solution of avelós latex on the survival and on intestinal adhesions in rats with experimental peritonitis. Methods: Peritonitis was induced in 24 Wistar rats, that were randomized into four groups of six as follows: (1) Control group (n=6), no treatment; (2) Antibiotic group (n=6), treatment with a single intramuscular dose of antibiotic Unasyn; (3) Saline group (n=6), the abdominal cavity was washed with 0.9% saline; and (4) E.tirucalli group (n=6), the abdominal cavity was washed with E. tirucalli at a concentration of 12 mg/ml. The animals that died were necropsied, and the time of death was recorded. The survivors were killed on postoperative day 11, and necropsy was subsequently performed for evaluation of the intestinal adhesions. Results: Significant differences were observed in the control and antibiotic groups (p<0.01) with respect to the survival hours when compared with the saline and E. tirucalli groups. There was no significant difference (p>0.05) in the survival of animals in the saline andE. tirucalli groups; however, one animal died in the saline group. Necropsy of the animals in the saline and E. tirucalligroups showed strong adhesions resistant to manipulation, between the intestinal loops and abdominal wall. The remaining groups did not show any adhesions. Conclusions: Topical treatment with E. tirucalli latex stimulated an increased formation of intestinal adhesions and prevented the death of all animals with peritonitis.

Peritoneal lavage with coconut water in rats with abdominal sepsis and its effects in peritoneum

“…Povidiultane-iodine (PVPI) was also compared to lavage with 0.9% saline solution, which was positive 3 . Among plants, the extract of Aloe vera and Euphorbia tirucalli latex were objects of study in peritoneal lavage in an experimental model 18,19 . However, no studies were found with the fruit water of Cocus nucifera L., although its medicinal properties have already been evaluated 9,11,12,20 .…”

Euphorbia tirucalli modulates gene expression in larynx squamous cell carcinoma

“…The active fraction present in the E. tirucalli latex that was used in our experiments inhibits proliferation of tumor-related enzymes and presents potential anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects [ 26 ]. Also, due to the importance of its antitumogenic action, we analyzed the effect of herbal medicine in the cell line of laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (Hep-2) and it was observed that the morphology did not change after treatment with E. tirucalli latex, however, cell proliferation decreased significantly.…”

Immunomodulating Effects of the Purified Hev B 13 Fraction on Septic Rats

“…There is no effective medication on the market to achieve the counterbalance of the acute inflammatory response to date. Several treatment protocols have been proposed in order to reduce the morbidity and mortality induced by the inflammatory response in sepsis; however, despite great advances, the incidence of deaths due to it is still high, and it is necessary to search for new therapeutic resources 1 , 17 .…”