Ocular effects of acute ingestion of Cola &lt;i&gt;nitida&lt;/i&gt;(Linn) on healthy adult volunteers

S A Igwe,E U Ikonne,D N Akunyili

doi:10.4102/aveh.v66i1.201

Abstract

Cola nitida Linn (Sterculiaceae) is an economic plant widely distributed throughout West Africa and possibly other parts of Africa.Members are malvalves because of their lobular nature. Because of its ubiquity, the plant plays an important role in commerce, and in social activities where it is casually eaten without prescription or restriction. The ethnopharmacological effects of bolus ingestion of 30g of Cola nitida was investigated on visually acute and healthy volunteers in order to determine its ocular implications or effects. Results showed that Cola nitida had no effecton the pupil diameter, visual acuity and intraocular pressure but improved the near point of convergence by 43% and increased the amplitude of accommodation by 11% while existing heterophorias are ameliorated. The stimulating effect of Cola nitida might overcome asthenopic symptoms with convergence insufficiency and allows near work to be donewithout stress. Somnolence and ocular muscle imbalance common features of the elderly canbe ameliorated or relieved.

Highlights

Cola nitida is an important economic crop growing in the forest areas of West Africa
near point of convergence (NPC): Each volunteer had a relatively normal NPC of between 8 and 10 cm, and the mean NPC before the ingestion of Cola nitida was 9.6+ 0.5 cm and after the ingestion there was an improvement in the NPC and the mean was 5.5+ 0.3 cm or 43% advancement or improvement
AA: The volunteers had normal AA before the commencement of study and following acute ingestion of Cola nitida the mean AA increased from initial mean value of 7.34+ 0.02 D to 8.25+ 0.5 D or 11% increase

Summary

Introduction

Cola nitida is an important economic crop growing in the forest areas of West Africa. In Nigeria, the Yoruba farmer in the Southwest recognizes at least four varieties of cola nuts, two of which are edible, namely Cola nitida and Cola acuminata which produce red, pink, brown and white nuts often in the same pod. The nuts of both species are differentiated on the basis of the number of cotyledons. Cola nitida accounts for over 70% of the total cola production of West Africa, and has a higher export value than other species since the seeds contain a higher proportion of the stimulating constituents.

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Results

Conclusion