Effect of Orally Administered Dennettia tripetala (Pepper Fruit) (Aq) Extract on the Intraocular Pressure and Serum Concentration of Lipid Parameters of Wistar Strain Albino Rat

Background: Plant parts have continued to attract attention in the global search for natural means of treatment of many diseases affecting humans and animals including glaucoma.

Aims: The present study was designed to evaluate the effect of Aqueous seed extract of Dennettia tripetala (ASEDt) on the intraocular pressure (IOP) and the serum concentration of lipid parameters of Wistar strain albino rats (male and female).

Methodology: This study was conducted in the Optometry and Anatomy department of Abia state University Uturu, Nigeria where a total of 37 males albino Wistar rats (12 weeks old), weighing 200 – 230g were used (12 for acute toxicity studies and 25 for the experiment proper) for a period of 35 days. The 25 rats were further divided into 5 groups (A-E) of 5 animals each according to various treatments A- No treatment, B-10mg/ml Cholesterol p.o, while C, D and E were treated with 10mg/ml Cholesterol p.o, plus administration of 200mg DT seed (aq) extract, 500mg DT seed (aq) extract and 0.5% timolol topically into the eye respectively. Intraocular pressure as well as the serum concentration of lipid parameters of the control group viz; Total cholesterol (TC), Triglycerides (TG), High density lipoprotein (HDL) and Low-Density Lipoprotein (LDL) was measured at day 1 (Baseline) 10 and 20 of experiment.

Results: Topical administration of 200mg/kg and 500mg/kg DT seed (aq) extract caused a significant reduction of IOP in the rats. This reduction was higher with 500mg. Furthermore, both 500mg and 200mg (ASEDt)A caused a reduction in the levels of TC, TG, LDL and increased level of HDL.

Conclusion: Aqueous seed extract of Dennettia tripetala caused a dose dependent reduction of intraocular pressure and ameliorated the serum concentration of lipid parameters in both male and female Wistar strain albino rats, thus suggesting that it could be beneficial in peculiar ocular, cardiovascular and public health care management.