Objective. To improve the existing experimental model of croton oil-induced hemorrhoids in rats by using Evans Blue (EB) dye extravasation technique. Further, an herbal formulation (Pilex) was evaluated for its antihemorrhoidal activity in this model. Methods. Two sets of experiments were carried out: first to improve the experimental model and to validate the same using Pilex and second to evaluate the effect of Pilex on cytoarchitecture of rectoanal tissue in croton oil-induced hemorrhoids. In both sets, hemorrhoids were induced to all the animals, except normal controls, by applying croton oil via rectoanal region and the effect of Pilex ointment (PO), Pilex granules (PG), and combination of PG and PO was evaluated. In the first set, extravasation of EB dye, TNF-α, IL-6, and rectoanal coefficient (RAC) was determined. In the second set, severity of score, RAC, and histopathology were evaluated. Results. The elevated levels of TNF-α, IL-6, and extravasations of EB dye were decreased with the Pilex treatment. The cytoarchitecture of rectoanal portion of the animals treated with Pilex was near to normal. Conclusion. The improved experimental model of hemorrhoid is useful in quantifying the inflammatory exudates and extent of inflammation. In this improved experimental model Pilex showed antihemorrhoidal activity, which further validates its clinical usage. 1. Introduction Today, millions of people are suffering from hemorrhoids and it is more prone as you grow older, and it is becoming a major medical and socioeconomic problem. There are various factors responsible for hemorrhoids like constipation, sedentary life style, pregnancy, low fiber diet, obesity, and so forth. Usually, hemorrhoids develop due to increase in pressure on the veins of the pelvic and rectal region, which causes abnormal dilatation and distortion of the vascular channel, leading to the extravasation of blood around the perianal and anal vein, which results in rectal bleeding [1–3]. The experimental model reported by Nishiki et al. in 1988 [4] to evaluate the antihemorrhoidal activity in rats assesses qualitative/semiquantitative aspects associated with hemorrhoids. Thus, to overcome this limitation, a new experimental model has been developed to quantify the extravasation of inflammatory exudates and markers involved in hemorrhoids. Treatment of hemorrhoids in modern medicine is still in infancy. Given the fact that there is no specific drug to treat hemorrhoids, extensive research is ongoing in the field of Ayurveda for utilizing the natural sources for treating hemorrhoids.
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