Abstract

Hemorrhoids are the most common anorectal disorder associated with the abnormal swelling and dilatation of the venous canal, leading to rectal bleeding and the prevalent figure of hemorrhoids is around 37 % worldwide. The major symptoms include prolapsing of mass, constipation, bleeding, and swelling in the anorectal region. A sedentary lifestyle, obesity, reduced fiber diets and low physical activity are some of the major causes of hemorrhoids. However, the rising demand for synthetic chemicals has several unintended consequences that have a substantial impact on the emergence of various illnesses. The current study investigated the antihemorrhoidal ability of the ethanolic extract of Laurus nobilis in high and low doses against the croton oil caused hemorrhoids model. Himalayan pilex pills (an ayurvedic treatment) were utilized as the benchmark drug for comparing all of the results and findings. The phytochemical screening revealed the presence of alkaloids, glycosides, flavonoids, tannins, saponins, phenols, volatile oils and steroids. The anti-hemorrhoidal potential was measured by evaluating blood parameters, inflammatory parameters, recto-anal coefficient and histological parameters was assessed. It was found that the hydroalcoholic leaf extract of Laurus nobilis demonstrated potential anti-hemorrhoidal activity with recto-anal coefficient 1.86±0.04 at the dose of 300 mg/ kg and 1.94±0.05 at the dose of 150 mg/kg. The extract also demonstrated an increase in the mean hemoglobin level in the low-dose extract (150 mg/kg) group and the high-dose extract (300 mg/kg) group with values of 7.61±0.81 and 8.99±0.65 (g/dl), respectively. The extract also decreased the levels of tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-6. Tumor necrosis factor-alpha decreased to 442.47±71.22 at a low dose (150 mg/kg), whereas for a high dose (300 mg/kg) the tumor necrosis factor-α value was found to be 335.85±82.43. The groups treated with the low dose extract showed the interleukin-6 value of 84.72±3.02 and the group treated with high dose extract depicted the mean value of interleukin-6 at 67.85±1.38. It was also found that a high dose (300 mg/kg) of Laurus nobilis extract exhibited a better therapeutic effect than a low dose (150 mg/kg) of Laurus nobilis extract. Pilex, the standard drug, demonstrated better results than the leaf extract.