Hemorrhoid is one of the most common inflammatory disease which can be characterized by alteration in vasculature of the anal canal including blood vessels, supporting tissues, muscles and elastic fibers. According to the report of National Centre for Health Statistics, the prevalence of hemorrhoid is 3.82% in United States and 0.36% in India that frequently appears in the age of 45—65 years. Free radical generation is the primary reason for initiation of many physiological and pathological disorders like hemorrhoids. Involvement of free radicals in the precipitation of hemorrhoids is well documented in the literature. It is well known fact that excess concentration of free radicals is a consequence of improper balance between reactive oxygen species and their metabolites. Antioxidants neutralize free radicals and thus play major role in the eradication of these free radicals and hence are involved in the management of hemorrhoids. Unavoidable and serious adverse effects associated with commercial or synthetic antioxidants are becoming a major concern for the researchers to develop natural antioxidants. Herbal extracts rich in phytoantioxidants like polyphenols, flavonoids, tannins and other related compounds are known to possess positive health effects and eventually reduces the incidence of diseases. Therefore much attention has been focused on the use of natural antioxidants that can provide more significant health benefits with minimal toxicities.
Acacia ferruginea DC. a drought resistant, deciduous tree belonging to family Mimosoideae is native to Pennisular India from Gujrat to Gunjam in the east. The bark of the plant is bitter and traditionally used as astringent, cure itching, leucoderma, ulcers, stomatitis and diseases of blood. Traditionally, the extract of leaves has been in use as astringent and in the treatment of dysentery, gonorrhea, urinary tract disorders and is also useful in the diseases of eye and liver. Bark decoction of A. ferruginea is one of active ingredient of gargle preparation. Moreover, ethanolic extract of A. ferruginea leaves reported to have hepatoprotective, larvicidal, antiulcer, antitumor activities. In addition to this, different species of this genus has been reported to have antimalarial, antifungal, antibacterial, antidiar- rhoeal, anti-oxidant, antiviral, hepatoprotective and antispasmodic activity. Earlier phytochemical studies indicated that this species act as a rich source of tannins (catechin, epigallocatechin), terpenoids, polyphenolics (gallic acid) and saponins. Chemical constituents of A. ferruginea include flavonoids, phenols, alkaloids, terpenoids, anthraquinones and tannins. Glycosides and saponins are also present in trace amounts. On the basis of the ethnopharmacological claims made by tribal community and phytochemical contents particularly secondary metabolites we have attempted to evaluate antioxidant and anti- hemorrhoidal activity of A. ferruginea. (NEXT : Hemorrhoids Natural Treatment Success Stories )
