Determination of the effects of lavender and helichrysum arenarium oils on intraabdominal adhesions in a rat ischemic button model

This study aimed to comparatively evaluate the effects of Lavandula angustifolia (LA) and Helichrysum arenarium (HA) oils in an experimental rat adhesion model. A total of 36 adult, 60-day-old female Wistar albino rats (average weight: 350 ± 37 g) were used in the study. The intra-abdominal adhesion model was established using the ischemic button technique, followed by intraperitoneal administration of sterile saline (Control group), LA oil (75 mg/kg), and HA oil (1500 mg/kg) to the animals. On postoperative day 14, all animals were euthanized and subjected to evaluation. Macroscopic adhesion assessment, histopathological evaluation, Picro-Sirius Red staining, and measurement of TGF-α, VEGF-α, TNF-α, and Caspase-3 levels were performed. Macroscopic adhesion scores did not show a significant difference among the groups (p = 0.363). However, histopathological evaluation revealed that fibrosis and inflammation scores were significantly higher in the HA group (p < 0.001). Collagen assessment performed with Picro-Sirius Red staining also revealed marked fibrotic development in the HA group. Immunohistochemical analyses showed that TGF-α and VEGF-α levels were higher in the Control and LA groups, whereas the proinflammatory cytokine TNF-α and the apoptosis marker Caspase-3 were significantly elevated in the HA group (p < 0.05). In conclusion, both LA and HA oils influenced the development of intra-abdominal adhesions; however, HA administration was associated with a markedly more intense inflammatory response and fibrotic tissue formation. These findings suggest that Helichrysum arenarium oil exhibits pro-inflammatory effects and may promote adhesion formation, whereas Lavandula angustifolia oil may have potential protective effects by inducing relatively less inflammation and fibrosis. These data provide an important foundation for understanding the role of plant-derived agents in the prevention of postoperative adhesions and present preliminary findings that require further support through comprehensive molecular analyses.