Experts in an evaluation of Tephrosia linearis, a common remedy, by traditional medical practitioners in north-eastern Nigeria say it could serve as a natural alternative for treating hemorrhoids.
In a new study, the researchers tested the effect of the water extract Tephrosia linearis on induced hemorrhoids in both male and female wistar rats. The hemorrhoids were created by applying Jatropha oil into the rectum of these rats. It was in the Savanna Journal of Basic and Applied Sciences.
Hemorrhoids, also known as piles, are a common ailment among adults. More than half of men and women aged 50 years and older will develop hemorrhoids symptoms during their lifetime. These are abnormal swollen tissues that occur inside or around the anus which may bleed, itch or be painful.
The predisposing factors for hemorrhoids include heredity, age, anal sex, prolonged labour at pregnancy as well as intake of stony diet which puts extra pressure on the internal lining of the small intestine.
Treatment of hemorrhoids by traditional medical practitioners using various plant species has been a long standing practice in various parts of Nigeria. In this modern era, plant materials still remain an important resource for combating illnesses, including infectious disease.
Tephrosia linearis, commonly called Tsintsiyar mahalba, in Hausa is a perennial shrub and legume species which is traditionally medically used as leaves for relieving earache and pain from fractures, and bark for removing ticks from camel ears. The plant possesses medicinal properties and its leaves and roots have been used to treat bronchitis, cough, earache, wounds and bone fractures by herbalists.
For the study, the water extract of the plant was made from the bark of T. linearis. The rats were randomly grouped into five (5) groups of 4 rats each based on a treatment plan. Group 1-Normal (not induced and untreated), Group 2-Induced and untreated, Group 3- induced treated with standard (Daflon 500mg, 10mg/kg), Group 4— Induced and treated with extract (200mg /kg) and Group 5-induced and treated with extract (600mg/kg).
Before the administration of the extract, hemorrhoids was induced in the rats through the use of Jatropha oil for five days. A day after the induction, all the rats were subjected to their respective treatment as designated once daily for a period of five days.
The animals were then sacrificed, the lower abdomen was opened and the rectum and the lower rectum were cut from any adhering tissue for examination. The percentage reductions in the weights of the rectum of the treated animals in relation to the control weights were then calculated.
For the group ‘Induced and untreated’, there was significant reduction in the mean body weights of the animals in all the experimental groups after hemorrhoids was induced and after treatment with the standard drug (Daflon) and extracts of Tephrosia linearis, the body weights were observed to increased significantly.
In addition, there was no significant difference in the abnormal swollen tissue that occurs inside or around the anus tissue in the rats that had 10mg/kg of the standard drug when compared with the 200mg/kg and 600mg/kg of the plant’s water extract. However, there was a significant difference when compared with the tissue from untreated rats.
Loss in body weight in the animals after induction served as a symptom of hemorrhoids due to loss of blood and severe inflammation in the anal region of the rats, coupled with anal itching as seen in the animal groups.
According to the researchers, “The standard drug Daflon 500 exerted healing effects on the experimental animals in Group C at 10mg/body weight as evidenced by the reduction in the weight of their rectal tissue which is the last several inches of the large intestine closest to the anus) tissues.
“From the study, extract of Tephrosia linearis presented the strongest anti-hemorrhoid activity in rats than Daflon 500. This plant therefore is a definite source for the development and production of conventional medicine for the treatment of hemorrhoids (piles) other than the present alternatives available.
“The use of this plant as treatment for hemorrhoids by the Fali tribe traditional medicine practitioners in north-east Nigeria is justified. Further studies should be undertaken to understand what compound causes the anti-hemorrhoid activity of the plant extract and the exact biochemical mechanism behind it.”
Top on the list of natural remedies that have been scientifically validated as effective treatment for hemorrhoids is regular consumption of a special diet made predominantly with slightly cooked vegetables.
The researchers from the Department of Plant Science and Applied Zoology, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State, also identified 143 local plants useful in the treatment of piles.
The results of the study published recently in Nigeria Scholars Research Library Annals of Biological Research showed that the herbal recipes or plants include among others Senna alata (Asunrun oyinbo in Yoruba, Ogalu in Ibo), Gongronena latifolium (Utazi in Ibo and Arokeke in Yoruba), Axonopus compressus (carpet grass), Anogeiessus leiocarpus (chew-stick, atara in Ibo, ayin in Yoruba and farin gamji in Hausa), Pteleopsis suberosa (wuyan giíwaá in Hausa), Tetrapleura tetraptera (Osakirisa or Oshosho in Ibo, Aidan in Yoruba), Khaya senegalensis (mahogany) and Allium spp (garlic, onion, shallots).
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