Efficacy and safety of a polyherbal formulation in hemorrhoids

• Published in: Journal of ayurveda and integrative medicine 2015-10, Vol.6 (4), p.225-232
• Main Authors: Tripathi, Raakhi K, Bolegave, Somesh S, Shetty, Parvan A, Uchil, Dinesh A, Rege, Nirmala N, Chawda, Mukesh B, Rege, Sameer A
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: 2% lidocaine gel; Anal sphincter spasm; Care and treatment; Health aspects; Hemorrhoids; Herbal medicine; isabgul; Original; Pharmacology; rectal bleeding; tenesmus
• ISSN: 0975-9476; 0976-2809
• DOI: 10.4103/0975-9476.172382

The medical management of hemorrhoids should include an integrated approach. This integrated approach can be achieved by polyherbal formulations containing anti-inflammatory, styptics, analgesics, and laxative effect which reduce inflammation, pain, and bleeding, and increase gastro-intestinal motility and soften stools. One such polyherbal kit is "Arshkeyt™, a 7 day kit," which consists of oral tablets and powder along with topical cream. Efficacy and safety of Arshkeyt™, a 7 day kit, a marketed polyherbal formulation was evaluated in comparison with conventional therapy practiced in surgery outpatient departments. Patients (n = 90) with hemorrhoids were randomly allocated to receive either Arshkeyt™ or standard therapy (combination of oral Isabgul powder and 2% lidocaine gel) for 14 days. Assessment on the basis of rectal symptoms and proctoscopic examination was done on day 0, 7, and 14 to derive a "composite score" which ranged from 0 to 25 by a blinded evaluator. The primary endpoint was number of patients achieving composite score 0 at the end of therapy (day 14). Inter-group analysis was done using Chi-square test. On day 14, the composite score of 0 was achieved in 15 patients of Arshkeyt™ group versus 6 patients receiving standard therapy. The symptoms and signs which showed significant improvement in Arshkeyt™ group compared to standard treatment group were the tenesmus (visual analog score) score (P = 0.047), anal sphincter spasm (P = 0.0495) and a decrease in the grade of hemorrhoids (P = 0.0205) on day 14. Arshkeyt™ was also more beneficial in case of bleeding hemorrhoids as compared to nonbleeding hemorrhoids (P < 0.05). The incidence of adverse drug reactions in both groups was comparable and no patient required any treatment for the same. "Arshkeyt™, a 7 day kit," was effective in the treatment of hemorrhoids and had a good safety profile.