ABSTRACT

This is an experimental study to determine the effect of Andrographis paniculata on intraocular pressure, blood sugar and wound healing using the New Zealand rabbits (oryctolaguscaniculus). To investigate the intraocular pressure, blood sugar lowering and wound healing effects of Andrographis paniculata leaf, stem, root and seed in rabbits, Sixteen (16) rabbits were selected for this research work. The Andrographis paniculata leaf, stem and root extracts were used for the intraocular pressure experiment and administered topically with a specific dosage of two drops, twice daily (morning and evening). The Andrographis paniculata leaf and root were used for the wound healing experiment and administered twice daily (morning and evening). The body weight, intraocular pressure, blood sugar level and fluorescein staining were measured at the beginning of the experiment before the extracts were applied; this served as the baseline data. The data obtained were analyzed using analysis of variance (ANOVA) and statistical significance was computed (at 95% confidence interval) and expressed as p-value. Statistical significance occurs at p≤0.5. The baseline data shows that the average blood sugar was higher in the evening (135.44±9.94 mg/dl) than the morning value (114.94±8.96 mg/dl) while the intra-ocular pressure displayed the reverse trend, with higher average values obtained in the morning (14.29±2.71 mmHg) than the evenings (13.90±2.26 mmHg).  The result showed a significant decrease in intraocular pressure and blood sugar level with consistent application of the leaf, when compared with that of control (P≤0.005). The maximum IOP of 21mmHg with a mean value of 19.24±4.46mmHg was recorded for the experiment after consistent application of steroids (topically and systemically) for a period of fourteen days. The area of wound healing was found to have decreased with the application of the root and leaf of the plant. It was therefore concluded that the Andrographis paniculata leaf was effective in lowering intraocular pressure and blood sugar level. Also, Andrographis paniculata root had an effect on wound healing.