The potential of Arum spp. as a cure for hemorrhoids: chemistry, bioactivities, and application

Abstract

Hemorrhoids become pathological when swollen or inflamed. They can be very painful and occasionally cause serious anemia as they often break and hardly heal. Orthodox medicine usually treats hemorrhoids through surgery combined with medication containing the flavonoid diosmin. Our previous ethnobotanical and ethnopharmacological research in Bulgaria (Balkan Peninsula) revealed that Arum maculatum and possibly its relatives were more efficient to cure hemorrhoids. The aim of this study is to review the traditional use, biologically active compounds and pharmacological activities of Arum species. Biologically active compounds identified in various parts of Arum species include: alkaloids, terpenoids, phenolic compounds as well as carbohydrate-binding proteins. Arum species extracts have analgesic, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and anticancer properties. According to ethnobotanical data, the most frequent biological activity of several Arum species which deserves special attention is against hemorrhoids and it is still poorly studied with modern pharmacological tests.