In vivo Evaluation of the Anti-hemorrhoidal Properties of a Formulation Based on Solanum nigrum and Combretum racemosus

Abstract

Haemorrhoidal disease is associated with inflammation and congestion of the anorectal vascular plexus. Medicinal plants remain widely used in traditional health practices, but experimental evidence is required to support their pharmacological relevance. This study evaluated the in vivo anti-haemorrhoidal activity of a topical formulation prepared from aqueous extracts of Solanum nigrum leaves and Combretum racemosus root bark. Plant extracts were obtained by exhaustive aqueous extraction, yielding 5.336% for Solanum nigrum and 12.875% for Combretum racemosus. The extracts were mixed in equal proportions and incorporated into shea butter to prepare ointments containing 45% and 90% plant extract mixture. Haemorrhoidal inflammation was induced in Wistar rats using croton oil. Twenty-five rats were divided into five groups: normal control, untreated negative control, positive control treated with Titanoreine, 45% formulation, and 90% formulation. Anti-inflammatory activity was assessed using the recto-anal coefficient and plasma concentrations of interleukin-6 and tumour necrosis factor-alpha measured by ELISA. Croton oil induction increased the recto-anal coefficient and elevated IL-6 and TNF-α levels compared with normal controls. The 45% formulation produced moderate reductions in inflammatory parameters. The 90% formulation reduced the recto-anal coefficient to a value close to the normal control and decreased IL-6 and TNF-α levels by 63.55% and 50.8%, respectively, compared with the negative control. These findings indicate that the plant-based formulation showed dose-dependent anti-inflammatory activity in this experimental model of haemorrhoidal inflammation.