Hemorrhoids are swollen and inflamed veins in the rectal and anal region that cause pain, bleeding, itching, and discomfort. The condition is commonly associated with chronic constipation, pregnancy, prolonged sitting, and increased intra-abdominal pressure. Conventional treatments provide symptomatic relief but may produce side effects on prolonged use. Therefore, the development of a safe and effective herbal formulation is of significant interest. The present study focuses on the formulation and evaluation of a herbal gel for the treatment of hemorrhoids using plant-based ingredients such as Aegle marmelos, Aloe vera, and Azadirachta indica, known for their anti-inflammatory, wound healing, antimicrobial, and soothing properties. The extracts were incorporated into a Carbopol 934 gel base to prepare a topical formulation suitable for rectal application. The prepared herbal gel was evaluated for various physicochemical parameters including pH, viscosity, spreadability, homogeneity, drug content, extrudability, and in-vitro diffusion study. Stability studies were also conducted to ensure formulation integrity. The results indicated that the gel possessed acceptable physical characteristics, good spreadability, skin-compatible pH, and satisfactory drug release profile. The developed herbal gel may serve as a safe, effective, and economical alternative for the management of hemorrhoids with minimal side effects and improved patient compliance. Further clinical studies are recommended to confirm its therapeutic efficacy.
Nannaware et al. (Fri,) studied this question.