Anti-hemorrhoidal potential of Microspheres containing Dolichandrone falcata leaf extract

Abstract

Hemorrhoids affect a significant portion of the global population, generating a constant need for safe and efficient treatments. Plant-based remedies offer promising alternatives, but their therapeutic efficiency can often be compromised by their poor oral bioavailability. This study investigates the development of a chitosan based sustained release microsphere formulation containing Dolichandrone falcata extract for the treatment of hemorrhoids. In-silico molecular docking studies were conducted on key flavonoids such as quercetin and rutin, against hemorrhoidal target proteins. The leaf extract of D. falcata was prepared using maceration technique and characterized for its phytochemical constituents, revealing a high total flavonoid content. Microspheres were formulated using the emulsion crosslinking method and evaluated for physical characteristics and in-vitro drug release. Finally, in-vivo anti-hemorrhoidal activity was assessed in a croton oil induced rat model. The docking results indicates strong binding affinities of quercetin and rutin to proteins such as MMP-9, NOS-2 and EGFR. The optimized microsphere formulation exhibited a high percentage yield (79.3%), good entrapment efficiency (73.3%), and a sustained in-vitro release profile (73.23% over 9 hrs). In-vivo studies demonstrated significant reduction in hemorrhoidal symptoms, comparable to standard treatment. The developed microspheres of D. falcata extract provide a promising, sustained-release herbal alternative for hemorrhoid management.