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Abstract #9950 Published in IGR 5-3
Effects of Solanum melongena (garden egg) on some visual functions of visually active Igbos of Nigeria
Igwe SA; Akunyili DN; Ogbogu CJournal Ethnopharmacology 2003; 86: 135-138
Solanum melongena LINN (garden egg) or bitter tomato is an economic flowering plant belonging to the family Solanaceae and widely distributed throughout the temperate and tropical regions. Members are mostly herbaceous plants, the fruit is a berry, and the seeds have large endosperm and are grown mainly for food and medicinal purposes. The effects of bolus consumption of 10 g of S. melongena were studied on visually active male volunteers in order to determine its ocular complications. Results showed that pupil size was reduced (23%), NPC was decreased (9%), AA was increased (22%), and the intraocular pressure (IOP) dropped by 25%, while there was no effect on VA and the habitual phoria. The miotic effect lowered the IOP appreciably and the reduced NPC, which was still within normal range, did not produce any vision discomfort. The increased AA and convergence excess positively correlated provide an efficient visual mechanism. It is suggested that S. melongena would be of benefit to patients suffering from raised IOP (glaucoma) and convergence insufficiency.
Dr. S.A. Igwe, Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Abia State University, P.M.B. 2000, Uturu, Nigeria
Classification:
11.15 Other drugs in relation to glaucoma (Part of: 11 Medical treatment)
