The effect of propolis on osteoarthritis formation after medial meniscectomy in rats

Objective: The evaluation of the chondroprotective effect of oral propolis on articular cartilage in rats experimental osteoarthritis model by medial menisectomy. Matherial and Method: İn this study we utilize 28 Spraque Dawley type female rats. The rats were divided into 4 groups named as control, menisectomy, P100 and P200. İn order to obtain experimental osteoarthritis model; we perform medial collateral ligament transection and medial menisectomy to the rats except control group, we apply only arthrotomy to the rats in the control group. We utilize only right knees of rats. We allow rats to move and put in separatly cages. First day after surgery we practiced oral propolis 100 mg/kg/day to P100 group and 200 mg/kg/day to P200 group everyday for five weeks. At the end of the fifth week all rats were euthanized by cervical dislocation and right knees were taken. After fixation and decalcification procedure, appropriate sections taken from the medial of tibia and then stained with Safranin O- Fast Green. Then examined by using Mankin Scorring System. Results: Groups were statistically evaluated. There was a statistically significiant between P100 - menisectomy groups (p<0.001) and P200 - menisectomy groups (p<0.001). When we compared P100 and P200 groups, we didn't find statistifically significant ( p=0.506). Conclusions: İn this study that on articular cartilage in a rat experimental osteoarthritis model by medial collateral transsection and medial menisectomy, our results was compatible with the literature at experimental models of osteoarthritis. Oral propolis has been observed that the protective effect of cartilage in an experimental model of osteoarthritis. Also propolis using 100 mg/kg/day and 200 mg/kg/day doses no change of efficiency on cartilage.