effect of intraperitoneal administration of silymarin on cervical linear esophagotomy wound healing in rats

Wound healing is a complex, multifactorial biological process critical for restoring tissue integrity and function, particularly in specialized organs such as the esophagus. due to its distinct anatomical and functional properties, esophageal wound repair presents unique clinical challenges. silybum marianum, a medicinal plant widely utilized in traditional iranian and global folk medicine, contains bioactive flavonolignans collectively known as silymarin. this study aimed to investigate the effects of silymarin on esophageal wound healing using an experimental rat model involving cervical esophagotomy. following surgical esophagotomy, twenty-one rats were randomized into three groups (n=7 each) for postoperative management. the control group received water for the initial 48 hours followed by standard dietary regimens, without further treatment. the solvent group underwent the same dietary protocol but received daily intraperitoneal injections of the vehicle (dmso plus distilled water) for five consecutive days. the treatment group was administered silymarin dissolved in the same solvent under identical dietary and injection schedules. wound healing was assessed 14 days post-surgery through clinical observation, necropsy, and histopathological evaluation. tissue samples underwent hematoxylin and eosin (h&e) and masson’s trichrome staining to quantify fibroblast proliferation, neovascularization (capillary buds), collagen deposition, and inflammatory response. results indicated that the treatment group exhibited a statistically significant increase in fibroblast density, capillary bud formation, and organized collagen matrix compared to both control and solvent groups (p<0.05). in contrast, control animals displayed marked submucosal inflammation and edema, with inflammatory cell infiltration ranking as control > solvent > treatment (p<0.05). collagen formation was notably enhanced in the silymarin-treated group, with significant improvements in both quantity and structural consistency (p<0.001). these findings support that intraperitoneal administration of silymarin facilitates esophageal wound healing by promoting fibroblast activity, collagen organization, and reducing inflammation. the study suggests potential therapeutic applications of silymarin in veterinary medicine for improving recovery following esophageal injuries.