Formulation and physicochemical evaluation of an herbal antihemorrohid ointment from Quercus, Black cumin and Fenugreek for the treatment of internal anal hemorrhoids

Hemorrhoids are one of the most common gastrointestinal disorders and may cause symptoms, such as rectal bleeding, pain, soiling, prolapse, secretion and pruritus. The previously marketed ointment had low efficacy in the treatment of hemorrhoids. The aim of this study was to formulate an herbal ointment from Quercus, Black cumin and Fenugreek for the treatment of internal anal hemorrhoids. The plants were extracted using percolation method. Tannin percent in Quercus and mucilage content in Fenugreek were determined. The pH and percent of dried extraction were determined. The extracts were incorporated in absorption bases and after preliminary studies 5 formulations were prepared finally. Physicochemical tests such as content uniformity, creaming and coalescence, centrifugal tests, freeze and thaw test, cooling and heating test, thermal tests and pH changing were determined. After concentration of extracts, from every 100 g of Quercus, Black cumin and Fenugreek, 26.1±4.1, 25.5±2.1, 22.3±3.5 gram concentrated extract were resulted respectively. After drying of extracts, weight of dried extracts result from 100 g extract of Quercus, Black cumin and Fenugreek were 16.7±. , 18.8±1.9, 15.2±1.4 gram respectively. The pH of extracts used in the formulations were in the range of 6.0- 6.4. All formulations except No. 4 had appropriate physicochemical characteristics with respect to appearance, consistency, viscosity, content uniformity and stability parameters. The prepared formulations were stable in the experimental conditions. From 5 formulations, 4 were stable and the third formulation was selected for the next clinical trial on hemorrhoids.