Anti-hemorrhoidal potential of standardized leaf extract of Dolichandrone falcata

Background and objective: Leaves of plant Dolichandrone falcata Seem. Are traditionally used by the healers of “India” for the treatment of piles and diabetes. Therefore, the main objective of the present investigation was to evaluate the anti-hemorrhoidal potential of ethanolic leaf extract from the plant D. falcata (EDF). Methods: D. falcata leaf extract obtained after maceration process was initially subjected to phytochemical standardization with the help of HPLC using rutin as a marker compound. Hemorrhoid was induced in the rats using croton oil rat model, and the treatment was carried out with EDF suspension prepared using carboxymethyl cellulose for 5 days using 100, 200 and 300 mg/kg p. o. The scoring of inflammation was calculated on the basis of the clinical hemorrhoidal area and severity index, which was followed by estimating the level of Evans blue dye as an inflammatory marker. The hemorrhoidal tissues were also subjected to cytokine profiling, biochemical evaluation and histopathology. Results: EDF demonstrated the presence of mainly polyphenols, tannins, flavonoids, alkaloids, and saponins, while rutin was calculated to be 3.08% w/w in EDF following HPLC analysis. The results depicted more potent anti-hemorrhoidal activity of EDF at 200 mg/kg orally which was evident through the grading of inflammatory index. The result demonstrated significant decline in the levels of IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α expression and also showed restoration of altered antioxidants and liver enzymes. Histopathological study showed minimal inflammation and reduced dilated blood vessels in treated animals, thereby confirming the tissue recovery. Conclusion: Thus, we have successfully explored and substantiated the traditional use of the leaves from the plant D. falcata for the first time in the treatment of hemorrhoids, which may be attributed to its anti-inflammatory and its antioxidant potential.