INVESTIGATION OF VASOACTIVE ION CONTENT OF HERBS USED IN HEMORRHOID TREATMENT IN TURKEY

Objectives: The aim of the present study is to determine anion and cation contents of the herbals used in Turkish folk remedy to explore the rationale of their use in hemorrhoid treatment in the context of the vasoactivity of these elements. Design: Herbs used in the treatment of hemorrhoid were determined by the way of literature search. These herbs were obtained from certificated herb sellers. Grinded herb samples were placed in individual tubes containing methanol and incubated for 48 hours at 30 degrees C. At the end of the incubation, supernatants were analyzed for their ion concentrations by using ion chromatography. Results: The difference between ion levels between systemic and locally used herbs, was not statistically significant (p>0.05). Anion concentrations (except nitrate) of locally used herbs were slightly higher than systemically used herbs (p>0.05). Cation levels (except magnesium) of systemically used herbs were slightly higher than locally used herbs (p>0.05). It was shown that the concentration of vasoconstrictor effective ions was higher than the concentration of vasodilator effective ions (p<0.001). While vasoconstrictor ion concentration of systemically used herbs was 88.06 +/- 147.42mg, vasoditator ion concentration of locally used herbs was 90.15 +/- 136.94mg. The difference between vasodilator concentrations of groups was more evident; 5.39 +/- 9.80 mg and 14.32 +/- 6.48 mg for locally and systemically used herbs respectively. Conclusions: This study showed that herbal remedies used for the treatment of hemorrhoid in Turkey contain vasoactive and especially vasoconstrictor ions. Vasoconstrictor agents could amplify each others' effects as it has been previously shown, therefore, it is probable that the vasoconstrictor ion contents could contribute to the curative effects of herbals in the treatment of hemorrhoids.