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.
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.
SOURCE: Tribune
