Co-administration of Ayurvedic medicines Arshogrit and Jatyadi Ghrit, attenuate croton oil-induced hemorrhoids in rat model of recto-anal inflammation by modulating TNF-α and IL-1β levels.

Objective: To study the efficacy of co-administration of Arshogrit (AG) and Jatyadi Ghrit (JG), two herb-based Ayurvedic medicines, in rat model of croton oil-induced hemorrhoids.

Significance: Hemorrhoids refer to a pathological condition affecting the recto-anal region causing pain, swelling, bleeding and protrusion. The available therapies for hemorrhoids are symptomatic or invasive but are expensive and associated with adverse effects. Hence, there exists a need for efficacious and safer pharmacotherapies.

Methods: Ultra high performance liquid chromatography detected nine phytocompounds in AG and seven in JG. Seven fatty acids were additionally identified in JG by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry analysis. The in-vivo efficacy of the co-administration of AG, which was administered orally at the doses of 20, 60 and 200 mg/kg/day and JG, which was topically applied (100 mg/animal/day) was evaluated in Wistar rats by inducing hemorrhoids development with the application of croton oil preparation (COP) in the recto-anal area. Prednisolone was employed as the standard drug and was administered orally at the dose of 1 mg/kg/day.

Results: AG and JG were able to attenuate the croton oil-induced macro and microscopic anomalies. Gross pathological observation demonstrated remarkable decrease in croton oil-induced swelling, hemorrhage and formation of pseudomembrane, with the escalating doses of AG. Microscopic observation revealed alleviation in the histopathological lesions (necrosis, inflammation, hemorrhage/congestion, degeneration and dilatation of blood vessels). AG and JG additionally reduced COP-induced increase in the serum levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines.

Conclusion: This study convincingly demonstrates that co-administration of AG and JG is a potential therapy against hemorrhoids, warranting further investigations.