Prevention of postoperative intraperitoneal adhesions in rats by alcoholic extract of piper longum an experimental study

Postoperative intraperitoneal adhesion formation is a common clinical occurrence, a major cause of morbidity and an occasional cause of mortality. This study was designed to evaluate the role of alcoholic extract of Piper longum in the prevention of Acetic Acid induced intraperitoneal adhesions in rats. Intraperitoneal injections of Piper longum extract, 10 mg/100 mg b.w. [Test Group], showed a potent activity comparable to Betamethasone 1 ml/100 gm b.w. [Standard Group] and grades of adhesions were confined to 0, 1 and 2 in these two groups as compared to grades 3 and 4 in rats in which Normal Saline was used [as control]. Mononuclear cell infiltration, fibroblastic proliferation and mesothelial thickening were mostly mild to moderate in the test group and the standard group as compared to the control group in which it was severe. This study suggests that alcoholic extract of Piper longum has a potent activity in the prevention of Acetic Acid induced intraperitoneal adhesions in rats