Topical application of (S)-(–)-limonene is as effective as phonophoresis for improving oxidative parameters of injured skeletal muscle in rats

The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of limonene, alone or associated with therapeutic ultrasound, on oxidative stress following skeletal muscle injury. Thirty male Wistar rats were divided into 5 groups: CTR-control, MI-muscle injury without treatment, TPU-therapeutic pulsed ultrasound alone, TPU + LIM-phonophoresis with 5% limonene, and LIM-5% limonene applied topically. Muscle injury was induced by a mechanical abrupt impact over gastrocnemius muscle. The animals were treated in the following intervals: 2, 12, 24, 48, 72, and 96 h after injury. Blood and gastrocnemius samples were collected 98 h after lesion for data analysis. Creatine kinase (CK) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity, lipid peroxidation (TBARS) levels, catalase (CAT), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity were assessed. CK ( p = 0.01), SOD activity ( p