Anti-Hemorrhoidal Action of Aqueous <i>Pithecellobium Dulce</i> (<i>Fabaceae</i>) Seed Extract Through Anti-Inflammatory, Antioxidant and Vasoconstriction Pathways

Abstract

Objective The aim of this study was to determine the mechanism of action of Pithecellobium dulce aqueous extract on Jatropha oil-induced hemorrhoidal disease in rats. Methods 36 Wistar rats were divided into 6 groups of 6 animals, including 3 controls (normal, negative and positive) and 3 tests groups. Hemorrhoidal disease was induced with Jatropha oil (100 μL) for 5 days in all animals except the normal control group. Recto-anal coefficient, hemorrhoidal permeability, hematological parameters, oxidative stress parameters and inflammatory cytokines were evaluated. Results Quantitative phytochemistry and in-vitro anti-inflammatory and anti-radical activity of the extract were determined. Extract of P. dulce at doses of 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg significantly (p ˂ 0.01) reduced recto-anal coefficient, prostaglandin E 2 (PGE 2 ), TNF-α, IL-6, nitric oxide (NO) and C-reactive protein (CRP) concentrations, accompanied by a significant (p &lt; 0.001) increase of IL-5 and IL-10. Extract of P. dulce at different doses significantly reduced leukocyte and platelet counts and increased erythrocyte and hematocrit levels. Extract of P. dulce also significantly (p &lt; 0.05, p &lt; 0.01 and p &lt; 0.001) increased superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and reduced glutathione (GSH) activities and significantly (p &lt; 0.001) decreased malondialdehyde (MDA) levels. Extract of P. dulce was able to trap DPPH (2,2-Diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl) radicals (64.9%) and ABTS (2,2'-azinobis-3-ethylbenzothiaoline-6-sulfonic acid) radicals (69.1%), as well as a high iron reducing power (FRAP) of 56.2% and the 50% inhibitory concentration (IC 50 ) of the ABTS radical was 150 μg/mL compared to the butylhydroxytoluene (BHT) control (130μg/mL). In addition, extract of P. dulce showed high concentrations of polyphenols, flavonoids and saponins. Conclusion extract of P. dulce possesses anti-hemorrhoidal properties via mechanisms involving vasoconstriction, alongside enhancement of anti-inflammatory and antioxidant status.