Evaluation of the phytochemical compositions and genotoxic potentials of some anti-hemorrhoid herbal preparations sold in Nigeria

Abstract

The phytochemical analysis and cytotoxicity induced by extracts of packaged herbal preparations used for the treatment of hemorrhoids on root meristems of Allium cepa L. (onion) was conducted. Quantitative phytochemical analyses were carried out on the eighteen packaged herbal samples obtained from the six geopolitical zones in Nigeria. The developed roots of Allium cepa were transferred to control and infusions of the herbal products for 48 h and harvested between 7:30am and 8:30am West African Time for cytological studies. Results of the phytochemical analysis showed that there were significant (P<0.05) differences in the phytoconstituents (tannins, saponins, flavonoid, alkaloids, phenols and glycosides) of the samples. This suggests that the contents of these samples vary from product to product, therefore their potency and effects on cell cycle may also vary. In this study, chromosome aberrations such as C-mitosis, fragmentation, spindle disturbance and vagrant chromosomes were observed in all except three of the collected samples. Also, negative Relative Division Rate (RDR) and lower Mitotic Index (MI) compared to controls were recorded in sixteen samples which suggest that most of these products were genotoxic. The findings in this study suggests that antihemorrhoid herbal preparations should be taken with caution because of their toxic effect.