Clinical Evaluation of Ocular Antiviral Effect of Garcinia Kolanut Water Extract in Epidemic Haemorrhagic Keratoconjunctivitis in Lagos

Abstract

Background: The claim of an Octogenarian on Garcinia kolanuts crude water extract on his open angle glaucoma has opened up a series of researchers into the native nuts as to their pharmocotherapeutic properties. Some of these have been reported as pressure lowering effects on laboratory animals and as antibacterials and antifungal on common microorganisms affecting human eyes in in-vitro research studies. Garcinia Kola nuts are fruits to tropical vegetation and are common to all dialects, tribes and natives of West Africa.
Epidemic haemorrhagic Karatoconjunctivetis (EHKC, Apollo) and Epidemic keratoconjunctivitis (EKC) occur yearly in Nigeria in the dry and dusty climates from adenovirus serotypes, 8,11,19 and 37 even though over 50 serotypes have been identified. No specific anti-adenoviral agent has been identified globally. Conventional management is mainly symptomatic and this involves the use of artificial tears, analgesics and corticosteroids with caution in the severe cases. Critical awareness and preventive measures are usually applied. These infections are highly contagious and the serotypes can survive in many environments and remain infectious on many surfaces for up to 35 days.
Materials and Methods: This prospective study was planned specifically for the dry and dusty period when epidemics usually occur and EKC and EHKC, on volunteering patients. All patients were examined, diagnosed and treated.
Garcinia kolanut water extract was aseptically extracted and stored in 10ml bottles at the Pharmaceutical Department of the College of Medicine University of Lagos (CMUL) and were given to patients under this study. All volunteering patients seen, examined and diagnosed as having acute epidemic conjunctivitis and or haemorrhagic ketatoconjunctivitis were human subjects in this study. Symptoms and signs of infections were monitored pre and post instillations with Garcinia Kolanuts water extract at the Guinness Eye Center of the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (GEC/LUTH). They were all treated with only Garcinia kolanut water extract. Clinical photographs were also taken pre and post treatment with extracts. Statistical evaluation was done.
Result: Three Hundred and fifty (350) patients volunteered and were seen and diagnosed as suffering from EHKC and EKC. They all used only the sterile Garcinia kolanut water extract as drops for their ocular complaints. Table 1 shows the demographic data. This study show that as early as 2 hours, most patients remarked that they got relief from most of their ocular symptoms while within 6 hours of installations most patients confirmed this relief. Clinically ocular discharges, watering and redness were definitely improved.
There was no gender or age significance. Statistically P>0.5 is significant while the effects of Garcinia Kolanut extract on pre and during instillations of symptoms and signs of ocular manifestations of the viral infections were compared. There was a marked relief both subjectively and objectively showing antimicrobial properties of the extract.
Conclusion: This study has further broadened our understanding of the phamakotherapeutic activities of Garcinia kolanut extract. The effectiveness of this extract to quickly bring resolutions to the ocular symptoms and signs of the patient is noticeable and encourage. Since no specific anti-adenoviral agent is presently in existence globally, this may serve as a breakthrough in the management of these viral infections. Conclusive viral studies on the conjunctival swabs from these patients will soon be published.


NQJHM Vol. 14 (3&4) 2004: pp. 270-276