DeCure's autonomous Rare AI scientist is researching a drug-repurposing hypothesis for hemorrhoid — screening already-approved drugs against its 44-gene Open Targets disease module to publish open-access research. Research is fast; the path to publication is funded in milestone stages.
Disease moduleHemorrhoid maps to a 44-gene Open Targets module — the target space DeCure's AI scientist screens approved drugs against.
DeCure.ai methodSignature reversal (LINCS) plus network proximity (STRING) rank already-approved drugs likely to perturb this module — the same engine that produces DeCure.ai's repurposing hypotheses.
Repurposing thesisScreening approved medicines against this disease module, then publishing the evidence for the strongest candidate. Known pharmacology and human exposure data make the first question sharper — they do not establish safety or efficacy in a new indication.
Research record
01
ResearchComing soon
Candidate research + dossier — target rationale, drug-repurposing thesis and evidence pack.proof: Published dossier + on-chain hash
02
ValidationComing soon
In-vitro biological validation at a contract research org (CRO).proof: CRO contract + in-vitro report
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Peer review & paperComing soon
Peer-reviewed paper published open-access (preprint + journal).proof: DOI + open-access link + on-chain hash
Structures already discussed alongside hemorrhoid in the retrieved literature, rendered from public PubChem SMILES. Which drugs appear here reflects the evidence found, not a ranked prediction.
Molecular view
Structure of Corticosteroid-Binding Globulin — Hydrocortisone has a real, experimentally solved structure in complex with this target (PDB 2V95, 1.93 Å). This is the drug's own deposited structure, not a prediction, and confirms it is a structurally characterised molecule rather than an untested guess.
Loading structure…
helix sheet hcydrag to rotate · scroll to zoom
RCSB Protein Data Bank · entry 2V95 · 1.93 Å · ligand Hydrocortisone (HCY). Experimental structure, not a prediction.
What the evidence adds up to
In a 1995 study of five patients with thrombosed external haemorrhoids and fifteen with anal fissure, 0.5 percent nitroglycerin ointment applied topically produced “dramatic relief of anal pain” in all patients, lasting two to six hours. Complete fissure healing occurred within two weeks in ten patients and within one month in two patients; two patients had persistent anal ulcers after two months of therapy but were pain-free. Transient headache occurred in 7 of 20 patients. A 2001 randomised double-blind trial of 0.2 percent nitroglycerin ointment after haemorrhoidectomy in 39 patients found less pain and greater benefit than placebo, but differences were not significant. Narcotic use was significantly lower on the second postoperative day only (P < 0.05), and headache occurred in 8 of 19 nitroglycerin patients, with significantly higher use of non-narcotic analgesics in that group (P < 0.0003).
A 2001 prospective randomised open trial of 98 patients compared topical 0.3 percent nifedipine with 1.5 percent lidocaine ointment every 12 hours for two weeks against lidocaine alone. After seven days, complete pain relief was reported in 43 of 50 nifedipine patients (86 percent) versus 24 of 48 controls (50 percent) (P < 0.01). Oral analgesics were used by 4 nifedipine patients (8 percent) versus 26 controls (54.1 percent) (P < 0.01). Resolution of the thrombosed external haemorrhoid after 14 days occurred in 46 nifedipine patients (92 percent) versus 22 controls (45.8 percent) (P < 0.01). No systemic side effects were observed with nifedipine.
A 2015 multicentre randomised open trial of 510 patients compared recombinant streptokinase (rSK) suppositories (two dosing schedules) against hydrocortisone acetate suppositories for acute haemorrhoidal disease. The five-day complete response rate (disappearance of pain and bleeding, and at least 70 percent reduction in lesion size) was 156 of 170 (91.8 percent) and 155 of 170 (91.2 percent) for the two rSK schedules, versus 46 of 170 (27.1 percent) for hydrocortisone (P < 0.001). This advantage was evident by day three (68.8 percent and 64.1 percent versus 7.1 percent) and persisted at day ten (97.1 percent and 93.5 percent versus 67.1 percent). Thrombectomy was needed in 4 of 251 rSK patients with baseline thrombosis versus 14 of 133 hydrocortisone patients (P < 0.001). No adverse events were attributed to rSK.
A 2005 report on 60 patients treated with diosmine (Phlebodia, 3 tablets daily for five days) plus a bulk laxative (plantago ovata) for three months stated that haemorrhoidal bleeding stopped after a mean of 3.2 days. A 2025 retrospective review of 578 patients treated with killed Escherichia coli suspension-hydrocortisone combination ointment found a median prescription period of 20 days and no confirmed adverse reactions; the authors note that patients with longer disease duration tended to be prescribed the ointment for longer periods, and that further safety studies are needed. A 2005 randomised trial of 31 patients with fourth-degree haemorrhoids compared stapled haemorrhoidopexy with conventional diathermy excision. Recurrent prolapse occurred in 8 of 15 stapled patients versus none of 16 diathermy patients (P = 0.002). Persistence of itching was reported in 6 stapled patients versus 1 diathermy patient (P = 0.03), and tenesmus appeared in 6 stapled patients versus none (P = 0.007). The authors concluded that stapled haemorrhoidopexy was not effective as a definitive cure for fourth-degree haemorrhoids. A 1928 report on sclerosing injections for haemorrhoids describes the method as giving “very good results” in French practice but provides no numerical data.
Evidence
Retrieved by DeepSearch across 234,678,978 indexed works and resolved on OpenAlex — ranked by citations, including the results that did not work.
Diseases of the Colon & Rectum · 1995 · 170 citations
Treatment of benign anal disease with topical nitroglycerin
AbstractPURPOSE: Fissure-in-ano and acutely thrombosed external hemorrhoids are common, benign anal conditions, usually characterized by severe anal pain. Internal anal sphincter hypertonia appears to play a role in the etiology of this pain. Nitric oxide has recently been identified as the "novel biologic messenger" that mediates the anorectal inhibitory reflex in humans. This report documents a therapeutic role for nitroglycerin, a nitric oxide donor, in the treatment of acutely thrombosed external hemorrhoids and anal fissure. METHODS: Five patients with thrombosed external hemorrhoids and fifteen patients with anal fissure or ulcer were identified. A treatment regimen that included 0.5 percent nitroglycerin ointment applied topically to the anus was instituted. After one week of therapy, all patients were re-examined and questioned regarding pain relief and side effects of treatment. Fissure patients were followed for eight weeks or until healing occurred. RESULTS: All patients reported dramatic relief of anal pain following application of nitroglycerin. Pain relief lasted from two to six hours. Complete healing of fissures occurred within two weeks in ten patients and within one month in two patients. One patient, whose fissure had not healed completely within two weeks requested surgical sphincterotomy. Two patients remained with persistent anal ulcers despite two months of therapy. Both, however, were pain-free. Side effects were limited to transient headache in 7 of 20 patients. CONCLUSION: Topically applied nitroglycerin ointment appears to have a therapeutic role in the treatment of thrombosed external hemorrhoids and anal fissure.
Diseases of the Colon & Rectum · 2005 · 140 citations
Stapled Hemorrhoidopexy vs. Diathermy Excision for Fourth-Degree Hemorrhoids: A Randomized, Clinical Trial and Review of the Literature
AbstractPURPOSE: The aim of this prospective study was to compare the results of stapled hemorrhoidopexy with those of conventional diathermy excision for controlling symptoms in patients with fourth-degree hemorrhoids. METHODS: Thirty-one patients with symptomatic, prolapsed irreducible piles were randomized to either stapled hemorrhoidopexy (n = 15) or diathermy excision (n = 16). The primary outcome measure was the control of hemorrhoidal symptoms one year after operation. RESULTS: The two procedures were comparable in terms of pain relief and disappearance of bleeding. Recurrent prolapse starting from the fourth month after operation was confirmed in 8 of 15 patients in the stapled group and in none in the diathermy excision group: two-tailed Fisher's exact test P = 0.002, RR 0.33, 95 percent confidence interval 0.19-0.59). Five of these patients responded well to a later conventional diathermy hemorrhoidectomy. Persistence of itching was reported in six patients in the stapled group and in one of the diathermy excision group (P = 0.03). On the other hand, six patients in the stapled group and none in the diathermy excision group experienced tenesmus (P = 0.007). CONCLUSIONS: Stapled hemorrhoidopexy was not effective as a definitive cure for the symptoms of prolapse and itching in patients with fourth-degree hemorrhoids. Moreover, stapled hemorrhoidopexy induced the appearance of a new symptom, tenesmus, in 40 percent of the patients. Therefore conventional diathermy hemorrhoidectomy should continue to be recommended in patients with symptomatic, prolapsed, irreducible piles.
Diseases of the Colon & Rectum · 2001 · 101 citations
Conservative treatment of acute thrombosed external hemorrhoids with topical nifedipine
AbstractPURPOSE: This study was performed according to a prospective, randomized, open design. The aim was to test the efficacy of local application of nifedipine ointment in healing acute thrombosed external hemorrhoids. METHODS: Ninety-eight patients who gave their informed consent were recruited; they received clinical examination and anoscopy. A questionnaire to evaluate symptoms, pain, and concurrent use of analgesics was administered. Patients treated with nifedipine (n = 50) used topical 0.3 percent nifedipine and 1.5 percent lidocaine ointment every 12 hours for two weeks. The control group, consisting of 48 patients, received topical 1.5 percent lidocaine ointment during therapy. RESULTS: Results obtained were as follows: complete relief of pain in 43 patients (86 percent) of the nifedipine-treated group as opposed to 24 patients (50 percent) of the control group after 7 days of therapy (P < 0.01); oral analgesics were used by 4 patients (8 percent) in the nifedipine-treated group as opposed to 26 patients (54.1 percent) of the control group after 7 days of therapy (P < 0.01); and resolution of acute thrombosed external hemorrhoids was achieved after 14 days of therapy in 46 patients (92 percent) of the nifedipine-treated group, as opposed to 22 patients (45.8 percent) of the control group (P < 0.01). We did not observe any systemic side effect in patients treated with nifedipine. CONCLUSIONS: Our study clearly demonstrates that the use of topical nifedipine, which at present is for treatment of cardiovascular disorders, is a reliable new option in the conservative treatment of thrombosed external hemorrhoids.
Diseases of the Colon & Rectum · 2001 · 96 citations
Randomized, prospective, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of effect of nitroglycerin ointment on pain after hemorrhoidectomy
AbstractPURPOSE: Fissure-in-ano is characterized by pain, bleeding, and internal anal sphincter hypertonicity. Spasm of the internal sphincter also plays a role in hemorrhoidal disease and may be a source of anal pain after hemorrhoid surgery. Inducing sphincter relaxation with a nitroglycerin ointment has shown promise in healing anal fissures and relieving symptoms of pain. Our study attempts to test the hypothesis that topical nitroglycerin applied to the perianal region is beneficial in reducing pain after hemorrhoidectomy. METHODS: After hemorrhoidectomy 39 patients were randomly assigned to receive 0.2 percent nitroglycerin ointment (n = 19) or placebo (n = 20). Ointments were applied to the perianal region three times daily for seven days. Patients were prescribed hydrocodone bitartrate to take as needed. Visual analog scales were used to measure postoperative pain intensity and ointment benefits. Patients completed questionnaires to record medication morbidity and number of prescribed or nonprescribed medications taken. RESULTS: Patients using nitroglycerin had less pain and greater benefit from ointment than those did in the placebo group, but differences were not significant. Narcotic use was higher in the placebo group when considered on a daily basis, but was statistically significant on the second postoperative day only (P < 0.05). Morbidity from ointment application was significantly higher in the nitroglycerin group (P < 0.002) and included a headache in 8 of 19 patients. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and acetaminophen were not prescribed, but were taken more frequently in nitroglycerin patients (P < 0.0003). CONCLUSION: Perianal application of 0.2 percent nitroglycerin ointment after hemorrhoidectomy significantly reduced narcotic requirements on the second postoperative day. Headaches and a subsequent need for nonnarcotic medications may limit benefits of nitroglycerin.
World Journal of Gastroenterology · 2015 · 14 citations · open access
Recombinant streptokinase<i>vs</i>hydrocortisone suppositories in acute hemorrhoids: A randomized controlled trial
AbstractAIM: To compare the efficacy and safety of recombinant streptokinase (rSK) vs hydrocortisone acetate-based suppositories in acute hemorrhoidal disease. METHODS: A multicenter (11 sites), randomized (1:1:1), open, controlled trial with parallel groups was performed. All participating patients gave their written, informed consent. After inclusion, patients with acute symptoms of hemorrhoids were centrally randomized to receive, as outpatients, by the rectal route, suppositories of rSK 200000 IU of one unit every 8 h (first 3 units) and afterwards every 12 h until 8 administrations were completed (schedule A), one unit every 8 h until 6 units were completed (schedule B), or 25 mg hydrocortisone acetate once every 8 h up to a maximum of 24 administrations. Evaluations were performed at 3, 5, and 10 d post-inclusion. The main end-point was the 5(th)-day response (disappearance of pain and bleeding, and ≥ 70% reduction of the lesion size). Time to response and need for thrombectomy were secondary efficacy variables. Adverse events were also evaluated. RESULTS: Groups were homogeneous with regards to demographic and baseline characteristics. Fifth day complete response rates were 156/170 (91.8%; 95%CI: 87.3-96.2), 155/170 (91.2%; 95%CI: 86.6%-95.7%), and 46/170 (27.1%; 95%CI: 20.1%-34.0%) with rSK (schedule A and B) and hydrocortisone acetate suppositories, respectively. These 64.6% and 63.9% differences (95%CI: 56.7%-72.2% and 55.7%-72.0%) were highly significant (P < 0.001). This advantage was detected since the early 3(rd) day evaluation (68.8% and 64.1% vs 7.1% for the rSK and active control groups, respectively; P < 0.001) and was maintained even at the late 10(th) day assessment (97.1% and 93.5% vs 67.1% for rSK and hydrocortisone acetate, respectively; P < 0.001). Time to response was 3 d (95%CI: 2.9-3.1) for both rSK groups and 10 d (95%CI: 9.3-10.7) in the hydrocortisone acetate group. This difference was highly significant (P < 0.001). All subgroup stratified analyses (with or without thrombosis and hemorrhoid classification) showed a statistically significant advantage for the rSK groups. Thrombectomy was necessary in 4/251 and 14/133 patients with baseline thrombosis in the rSK and hydrocortisone acetate groups, respectively (P < 0.001). There were no adverse events attributable to the experimental treatment. CONCLUSION: rSK suppositories showed a significant advantage over a widely-used over-the-counter hydrocortisone acetate preparation for the treatment of acute hemorrhoidal illness, as well as having an adequate safety profile.
Phlebodia (diosmine): A role in the management of bleeding nonprolapsed hemorrhoids
AbstractThe aim of this study is to describe a role of diosmine in the management of bleeding nonprolapsed hemorrhoids. From November 2003 to January 2004, 60 patients were treated with Phlebodia (diosmine). Total colonoscopy was performed at the discretion of the authors according to the age, symptoms and genetic factors of the patient. Patients were treated with Phlebodia (diosmine, 3x1, 5 days) and in addition a bulk agent (3,26 g plantago ovata sachet, twice daily, for the period of next three months). Hemorrhoidal bleeding stopped after 3,2 days. Diosmine, used with fiber supplements, rapidly and safely stops bleeding from nonprolapsed hemorrhoids.
Journal of the Anus Rectum and Colon · 2025 · 0 citations · open access
A Clinical Investigation into the Long-term Use and Safety of Killed Escherichia coli Suspension-Hydrocortisone Combination Ointment for the Treatment of Hemorrhoids
AbstractObjectives: Conservative treatment for hemorrhoids may be long-term, but there are only a few studies that have reported on the long-term use of corticosteroid-containing preparations. Therefore, the aim of this study was to conduct a clinical investigation into the long-term use and safety of Killed Escherichia coli suspension-hydrocortisone combination ointment for the treatment of hemorrhoids. Methods: A review of 578 hemorrhoid patients who experienced an adverse reaction to Killed Escherichia coli suspension-hydrocortisone combination ointment at Coloproctology Center Takano Hospital between June 2019 and December 2019 was conducted. Results: Of the 578 patients included in the analysis, 430 patients (74.4%) had internal hemorrhoids and the median duration from the date of initial diagnosis was 0.70 months. The median prescription period of patients treated with Killed Escherichia coli suspension-hydrocortisone combination ointment was 20 days, and no adverse reactions were observed. When the prescription period of patients treated with Killed Escherichia coli suspension-hydrocortisone combination ointment was categorized into a within 30-day period (n=332), a 31-90-day period (n=63), and a ≥91-day period (n=23), the median disease duration at initial diagnosis was 0.46 months, 1.00 months, and 8.00 months, respectively. These findings indicate that the prescription period tended to be longer as the disease duration increased. Conclusions: In this study, the onset of adverse reactions to the use of Killed Escherichia coli suspension-hydrocortisone combination ointment in the treatment of hemorrhoids could not be confirmed. Further studies to investigate the safety of the long-term use of this treatment needs to be conducted.
Kazan medical journal · 1928 · 0 citations · open access
On the treatment of hemorrhoids with sclerosing injections
AbstractThe frequent recurrence of hemorrhoids after surgical treatment, on the one hand, and the reluctance of many patients to undergo surgery, on the other hand, lead to the search for non-bloody ways to treat this disease. Of these methods, physiotherapeutic methods (diathermy, electrocoagulation), Boas's method of coagulation injections (alcohol) and the method of fibrous (sclerosing) injections are widespread. The latter method is used mainly in France, and in the hands of Sicard, Gaugier and Bensade it gave very good results. Having acquainted with it for the first time at the beginning of 1926, at the clinic of Bensadey, I widely used it during 2 years, first at the hospital therapeutic clinic of Samara University, then at the hospital of Dorzdrav. The present report is the fruit of 2 years of observation over the results of such treatment.
Disease module: DeepOracle (Open Targets). Approved indication: ChEMBL drug_indication (max_phase=4). Structures: RDKit from PubChem SMILES. Literature: retrieved by DeepSearch across 234,678,978 indexed works, resolved on OpenAlex.
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