Effect of Oral Administration of Silymarin on Healing Full-thickness Gastric Wound in Rats

Background and Objectives: Gastrotomy can be accompanied by serious postoperative complications. In this regard, the present study aimed to evaluate the effects of oral administration of silymarin on the histopathological and biomechanical characteristics of the gastric wall after experimental gastrotomy in rats.   Methods: Full-thickness incision on the gastric wall and then suturing were conducted on 36 male Wistar rats. In the negative control group, 2 ml of normal saline was orally administered once a day (for 5 days). Moreover, omeprazole (3.6 mg/kg) and silymarin (50 mg/kg) in the positive control and treatment groups were administered in a similar manner, respectively. Euthanasia and sampling were performed on the 6th day. The data were analyzed using one-way analysis of variance and Kruskal-Wallis test.   Results: Histopathological findings demonstrated a significant increase in the maturation of fibroblasts, deposition and arrangement of collagen, angiogenesis, and formation of epithelial layer in the silymarin treatment group, compared to the two control groups. According to the results, the infiltration of inflammatory cells significantly reduced in the omeprazole and silymarin treatment groups in comparison to that reported for the negative control group. The levels of maximum strength, yield strength, stress, and energy absorption were higher in the silymarin-treated group, compared to those reported for other groups.   Conclusion: The obtained results of the present study showed that the oral administration of silymarin improved the tissue indicators of wound healing and its biomechanical features in the experimental model of the full-thickness gastric wound in rats. Based on the results, it is recommended to administer silymarin following gastrotomy.