Propolis has no effect on tendon healing: an experimental study

Tendon healing remains a slow process due to less blood supply compared to many other tissues. In previous studies, propolis was shown to modify collagen types I and III accumulation at wound healing site and positively affected wound healing however, no study has shown the effects of propolis on tendon healing. We aimed to investigate the effect of propolis on tendon healing. Twenty eight male rats were used. Achilles tendons of all rats were transected at midpoint and the proximal and distal ends were approximated to each other and repaired by modified Kessler technique with 6-0 ethylene-braided sutures. After surgical operation, the rats in control group received 0.9% SF orally during the next 28 days and the rats in study group received 100 mg/kg propolis extract orally during the next 28 days. Histological examination was made using the Cavalieri method which is an unbiased method for quantification of particles of variable size in a given volume. Compared to the control group, tendon and capillary volume were found to be increased in propolis treated group however the increase was not at a statistically significant level. Propolis may enhance tendon healing both by accumulating collagen type I and III and inducing extracellular matrix components at the injury site. Higher level of propolis dosage may be more beneficial to tendon healing.