Potential Use of Flavonoid-Containing Purple Leaf Extract as an Alternative Therapy for Hemorrhoidal Disease

Abstract

Hemorrhoids are a pathological disease that occurs in the anal cushion, marked by enlargement of vascular tissue and disposition of connective tissue, leading to the swelling of the recto-anal. This condition can cause pain, discomfort, and bleeding during bowel movements. Several risk factors are known to influence these pathological changes, such as pregnancy, constipation, the elderly, and a sedentary lifestyle. Although conventional treatments are commonly used for hemorrhoids, emerging research highlights the potential of Graptophyllum pictum (also known as purple leaf) extract as a treatment. The purple leaf extract possesses antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that reduce inflammatory mediators such as TNF-α, IL-6, COX-2, and MMP-9. It could minimise edema by inhibiting leukocyte extravasation to recto-anal tissue. The purple leaf extract contains flavonoids and other phytochemicals that reduce inflammation and other diseases. These findings suggest that purple leaf extract may be a promising alternative hemorrhoid treatment.