Effect of Solanum Melongena (Garden Egg) on Intraocular Pressure of Normotensive Young Adults

Abstract

Solanum melongena Linn, is one of the medicinal plants of Africa. Its effect on intraocular pressure (IOP) was investigated in 100 normotensive volunteers whose ages ranged between 16 and 30 (mean 22.5+3.4) years, attending the Abia State University Optometry clinic Uturu. Each subject had initial IOP measured before being administered with 100g of Solanum melongena to be chewed and swallowed as bolus. The IOP was reassessed 30min after ingestion of Solanum Melongena and subsequently at 30min interval for the next 2hrs. Results showed a reduction in IOP in all the subjects with peak effect ocuring at 90min (5.10mmHg or 25.74% reduction). The effect was statistically significant (p<0.05) and transient because the IOP returned to the initial value after 150min. Results also showed that the reduction in IOP was more in the females (28.82%) than in the males (25.07%). It is concluded that Solanum melongena can be prescribed as adjunct therapy or nutrition component in lowering pathologically raised intraocular pressure.

Keywords: Solanum melongena, Intraocular pressure, Medicinal plants,
Normotensive, Phytochemicals