Histopathological study of Capparis spinossa on the healing of experimental Achilles tendon injury in rabbits

The critical role of tendons in body mechanics and injury and degeneration of this tissue can highly be debilitating, resulting in substantial pain, disability and costs. Capparis spinossa is one of the most common aromatic plants growing in Iran. The major objective of the study was to assess Achilles tendon healing in a rabbit model by local injection of ethanolic extract of C. spinossa. Nine adult white New Zealand male rabbits were anesthetized and partial thickness tenotomies were created on both hindlimbs. The C. spinossa extract and normal saline were respectively injected daily to the treatment and control groups for three days post-operatively.Histological analysis on days 7, 14 and 28 post-rupture demonstrated higher regenerating activity and capacity in treated groups than the control group. This was illustrated by fewer inflammatory cells, a larger number of blood vessels, further fibroblasts and increased structural organization with further longitudinally oriented collagen fibers in the treated group. In summary, these results suggest that use of C. spinossa extract can promote the healing process of damaged Achilles tendons in rabbits.