Research on Plant-based Management of Haemorrhoids: Evidence from Extracts of Mimosa pudica L
Chigozie Peace Okorie
Department of Medical Biochemistry, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus, Enugu 400001, Nigeria.
Hannah N. Okorie
Department of Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Enugu State University of Science and Technology, Agbani 402004, Nigeria.
Goodnews Onyedikachi Ikeh *
Department of Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Enugu State University of Science and Technology, Agbani 402004, Nigeria.
Kennedy Oluigbo
Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Biopharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Enugu State University of Science and Technology, Agbani 402004, Nigeria.
Goldy Iruoma Ani
Department of Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Enugu State University of Science and Technology, Agbani 402004, Nigeria.
Nwoke Obinna Chidubem
Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Faculty of Basic Clinical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Nigeria, Nigeria.
Nwoke Nwabunwanne Chukwudi
Ndubuisi Hospital and Maternity, Achara Road, Nsukka, Enugu State, Nigeria.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Haemorrhoids, characterised by inflamed and swollen anorectal veins, represent a significant global health burden, with profound impacts in regions with limited healthcare access, such as Nigeria and sub-Saharan Africa. Globally, the prevalence of haemorrhoids is estimated at 4.4–38.9%, with higher rates in developed nations due to sedentary lifestyles and low-fibre diets. Haemorrhoids, a prevalent condition affecting 10–25% of Nigerians and 5–20% of Africans, pose significant healthcare challenges, particularly in resource-limited settings, necessitating sustainable solutions aligned with United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3: Good Health and Well-Being. This study evaluates the anti-haemorrhoid potential of methanol extract and fractions (n-hexane, ethyl acetate, n-butanol) of Mimosa pudica L., a plant widely used in African traditional medicine. Whole plants were extracted via cold maceration, solvent-partitioned, and phytochemically screened. Anti-haemorrhoid activity was assessed in Wistar rats using a croton oil-induced model, with treatments of 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg of extracts/fractions or 500 mg/kg Daflon administered orally for five days. The ethyl acetate fraction at 200 mg/kg significantly reduced the recto-anal coefficient (p < 0.05), suggesting efficacy comparable to conventional treatments. These findings validate Mimosa pudica’s traditional use and its potential as an affordable, plant-based therapy for haemorrhoid management in Nigeria and beyond, though dose optimisation and clinical validation are critical for safe application. However, dose-dependent adverse effects underscore the need for further research into safety, chemical profiling, and clinical validation to address the high haemorrhoid burden effectively.
Keywords: Mimosa pudica, anti-haemorrhoid activity, croton oil, recto-anal coefficient, sustainable healthcare, SDG 3