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Jun 25, 2018Keywords:
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Effect of <i>Moringa oleifera</i> leaf aqueous extract on intraocular and blood pressure of normotensive adults in Edo State, Nigeria
Abstract
For centuries, Moringa Oleifera leaf is used in traditional medicine for common ailments in many countries of the world. Traditionally it is used in the treatment of systemic hypertension but there are very limited literature on its effect on ocular hypertension. Therefore this clinic based-observational study investigated the effect of graded doses of Moringa oleifera leaf aqueous extract on intraocular and blood pressure of thirty normotensive adults, male and female aged 18 to 35 (mean age of 28.93 ±1.62) years. They were divided into three groups of ten participants in each group. Another group of ten normotensive adults, aged matched were used as a control group. Baseline intraocular pressure (IOP) and blood pressure (BP) of each participant were measured. Three different masked doses of Moringa oleifera aqueous leaf extract labelled ‘E’, ‘F’, and ‘G’ were orally administered to groups 1, 2, and 3 respectively by a laboratory technician, while group 4 participants drank water only. Thereafter IOP and BP were measured at 30 minutes interval for the four groups until values returned to baseline. Results showed that Moringa oleifera leaf aqueous extract when administered orally has statistically significant (p<0.05) hypotensive effect on IOP and BP of the three experimental groups. The effect was dose-dependent and the maximum reduction in BP was at 60 minutes. This preceded the maximum reduction in IOP which occurred at 90 minutes, thereafter IOP and BP rose toward baseline values. Therefore Moringa oleifera leaf aqueous extract may be effective in the control of systemic and ocular hypertension.
Keywords: intraocular pressure, blood pressure, Moringa oleifera leaf aqueous extract, normotensive adults
