Comparison of Ellagic Acid and NSAI Agents in the Treatment of Achilles Tendon Lacerations: An Experimental Study in Rabbits

Abstract

Objective Although Achilles tendon ruptures can have many causes, they are known to develop most commonly with trauma. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) and low doses of corticosteroids are used in the medical treatment of tendon ruptures. Ellagic acid (EA), which also has an anti-inflammatory effect, has been reported to show its effect via cyclooxygenase 2 (COX2) inhibition as well. The effects of EA and diclofenac sodium on tendon healing were compared in this study. Methods We used a total of 18 male New Zealand rabbits in 3 groups with 6 in each. The study was performed under general anesthesia with a xylazine-ketamine combination. After a defect was created in the right Achilles tendon of all the rabbits, group I was administered diclofenac sodium and group II was administered EA for 1 week, whereas the control group (group III) was not administered anything. Postoperative follow-up was provided for all groups. Results Euthanasia was performed in all subjects at the end of the eighth week, and the tendons were compared in terms of macroscopic and histopathologic features and tensile resistance. Although there was no statistically significant difference in the tensile resistance Newton values of group I and group II, these values were higher than in the control group, and the NSAI group values were statistically significantly higher than in the control group. Conclusions We concluded that EA and NSAIs could be effective in the recovery of tendon integrity and tensile strength and increasing the movement capacity in pathology caused by tendon damage because of their anti-inflammatory features.