Ethnopharmacological Survey on Phlomis grandiflora: in vivo Antihemorrhoidal Model

Abstract

Phlomis grandiflora H.S Thompson var. grandiflora , belongs to Lamiaceae family, has been utilized traditionally for the treatment of wound, inflammation, ulcer, diabetes and hemorrhoid mostly. Though hemorrhoids are so widespread in the world, studies on the prevention and treatment with natural pharmaceutical preparations of them are quite limited. People, who suffer from hemorrhoids, tries variety of self treatment methods such as utilizing animal products and homemade herbal preparations. Aim of this study is to evaluate the ethnopharmacological application of P. grandiflora on antihemorrhoidal activity of the leaf methanolic extract, which was applied topically (50 % cream) for 7 days onto rats having croton oil-induced hemorrhoid. Changes in the biochemical parameters such as TNF- α and VEGF showed that the plant extract is slightly more effective at healing hemorrhoids compared to the reference preparation. This is the first report revealing that the methanolic leaf extract of P. grandiflora showed topical antihemorrhoidal activity. When chemical studies are taken into consideration, it has been concluded that the plant extract containing a significant level of phenolic compounds, might be a promising source for the investigation of the antihemorrhoidal effect of medicinal plants, in the means of P. grandiflora, and related disturbances.