ABSTRACT

Piloheal cream is an Ayurvedic proprietary medicine claimed to be effective in the treatment of hemorrhoids. The present work was undertaken to evaluate the anti-hemorrhoidal activity of Piloheal cream against croton oil-induced hemorrhoids in rats. The hemorrhoids were induced by applying 3% croton oil preparation in the anorectal region. Rats were intrarectally administered with Piloheal cream, twice a day for 4 days. Hemorrhoids were assessed by measuring macroscopic parameters such as weight, area of mucosal damage, and the number of red thrombi of anorectal tissue along with histology of the tissue. Croton oil-induced hemorrhoids were prevented by treatment with Piloheal cream as indicated by the decrease in macroscopic and histological changes in Piloheal treated rats as compared to hemorrhoids-induced rats. It is concluded that Piloheal cream exhibits a beneficial effect on croton oil-induced hemorrhoids and is useful in the treatment of hemorrhoids.