The effect of intraperitoneal ST. john's wort oil (Hypericum oil) in an experimental peritonitis model

Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of St. John's Wort oil on experimental peritonitis. Material and Methods: 42 Western Albino rats were divided into 7 groups: control (1), peritonitis (2), peritonitis + saline (3), peritonitis + St. John's Wort oil (4), peritonitis + olive oil (5), St. John's Wort oil (6), and olive oil (7). The control group did not undergo any procedures. Peritonitis was induced by intraperitoneal injection of fecal solution in groups 2,3,4 & 5. Intraperitoneal saline, St. John's Wort oil, or olive oil was administered to groups 3,4 & 5 respectively. St. John's Wort oil was given to group 6, and olive oil was given to group 7. The rats were sacrificed on the 5th day, and weight percentage changes were calculated. Interleukin-1 (IL-1), interleukin-6 (IL-6), C-reactive protein (CRP), procalcitonin, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), and leukocyte levels were analyzed from intracardiac blood samples. Histopathological examination of parietal and visceral peritoneum and liver tissue samples were performed to assess tissue fibrosis, inflammation, vascular proliferation, and tissue thickness. Results: Statistical analysis showed that weight percentage changes were -8.6 for peritonitis and -5.3 for peritonitis + St. John's Wort oil. The CRP levels were 293.2 for peritonitis and 253.8 for peritonitis + St. John's Wort oil. The IL-1 levels were 28.2 for peritonitis and 34.6 for peritonitis + St. John's Wort oil. The IL-6 levels were 35.1 for peritonitis and 32.1 for peritonitis + St. John's Wort oil. The TNFα levels were 86.4 for peritonitis and 107.1 for peritonitis + St. John's Wort oil. Visceral peritoneum thickness was 337.1 for peritonitis and 438.6 for peritonitis + St. John's Wort oil, while parietal peritoneum thickness was 210 for peritonitis and 86 for peritonitis + St. John's Wort oil. Visceral peritoneum inflammation, fibrosis, and vascularization scores were 2 for peritonitis and 3 for peritonitis + St. John's Wort oil, while parietal peritoneum inflammation, fibrosis, and vascularization scores were 3 for peritonitis and 1 for peritonitis + St. John's Wort oil. Conclusion: The results of this study showed that intraperitoneal administration of St. John's Wort oil had no effect on systemic inflammation, and even triggered systemic inflammation, similar to olive oil. However, it was observed to have a protective effect on fibrosis in the visceral and parietal peritoneum.