Effects of intraperitoneal lavage with Punica granatum L. seed Soxhlet on postoperative peritoneal adhesions in a rat model

To explore the effects of Punica granatum L. ( P. granatum, Shi Liu) seed in the management of peritoneal adhesions (PAs) in rats. The mature male rats were separated into the following groups, each containing six animals: a sham group without peritoneal adhesion induction, a negative control group, and four intervention groups with both peritoneal adhesion induction and administration of 2 mL of vehicle or 0.1%, 0.3%, 1%, or 3% w/v P. granatum seed Soxhlet (PSS). Peritoneal adhesions were assessed through macroscopic examination, transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and inflammatory cytokine (tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) levels were evaluated using biochemical methods. The findings revealed no notable differences in adhesin scores between the therapeutic and negative control groups, but PSS (1 and 3% w/v) significantly reduced TNF-α, VEGF, and TGF-β1 levels compared with those in the negative control group (all P < .01). The results indicate that PSS is a potential treatment option for intraperitoneal adhesions.