The scientific validation of Unani Eye drop on conjunctivitis

Abstract

Material and methods The scientific validation of Unani Eye drop on conjunctivitis is comprises of physico-chemical, experimental studies on animals, safety evaluations and clinical trials on conjunctivitis. The formulation of eye drop consists of the following ingredients: • stem wood of Berberis aristata DC.14.0% • seed of Cassia absus Linn. 2.0% • rhizome of Coptis teeta Wall. 2.4% • bark of Symplocos racemosa Roxb. 2.4% • flower of Azadirachta indica A. Juss. 2.8% • Alum, K2SO4·Al2 (SO4)3·24H2O 0.4% • aqua distillate of Rosa damascena Mill.Q.S. • Phenyl ethyl alcohol (Preservative) 0.5%. Results • In physico-chemical studies the mean percentage of pH values 3.13±0.012. • The refractive index 1.360±0.0008 at 24 °C. The viscosity 0.33165±0.00216. • The specific gravity 1.0075±0.0006 at 25 °C. The qualitative phytochemical of eye drop gave positive test for alkaloids, sugars, saponin and sterols/terpenes. • TLC of the eye drop in Butanol: Acetic acid: water: Ethyl acetate: the Rf values of eye drop formulation was calculated as 0.04, 0.08, 0.16, 0.26, 0.36 and 0.36. In vitro antimicrobial activity of eye drop and standard drug in the dose and standard (Berberine) was carried out using different organic solvent systems of 10 μl/disc against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcusaureus, Streptococcusmutans and Klebsiella, showed significant results. The test drug was also tested for antihistaminic activity on isolated guinea pig ileum. It was antagonized the effect of histamine on the tissue. Anti-inflammatory activity of test drug was observed in turpentine liniment-induced ocular inflammation in rabbit's eye. In anti-inflammatory activity, the signs and symptoms of ocular inflammation was subsided on tenth day in control group, whereas in test group the signs and symptoms subsided within 7 days. In the safety evaluation, no adverse effects were observed in ocular structure in rabbit's eye: cornea, iris and conjunctiva were normal. The clinical study was carried out on 60 patients of diagnosed conjunctivitis. The total therapeutic response of test drug (eye drop formulation) was shown as 93.3% in allergic, 90% in mucopurulent and 100% in viral conjunctivitis as compared with control group. In allergic conjunctivitis 66.7% cases cured, 20% cases relieved and 6.7% cases partially relieved and no response was observed 6.7% cases. Conclusions Thus eye drop have triple action as an anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and anti-allergic and is safe and effective in the treatment of conjunctivitis.