Written by Chrystal Moulton, Staff Writer. Statistical analysis revealed that consumption of 100 mg/kg body weight of Garcinia kola had a significant effect on intraocular pressure (F = 90.35, P <0.0001).
The most common form of glaucoma is primary open angle glaucoma which is characterized by progressive optic nerve degeneration. It is estimated that more than 60 million people worldwide suffer from this form of glaucoma 1. The only modifiable factor in patients suffering from glaucoma is intraocular pressure treated by prescription medicine 1. Long-term use of glaucoma medication, however, results in ocular surface disease and subsequently poor adherence to glaucoma treatment regimens 2.
Bitter kola or Garcinia kola has anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, antiviral, and antiparasitic properties. Topical treatment with Garcinia kola has demonstrated reduction in intraocular pressure 3. However, few studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of oral consumption of Garcinia kola on intraocular pressure. In the current trial, researchers examined the effect of oral intake of Garcinia kola on intraocular pressure in healthy subjects 1.
In a randomized single-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study, researchers tested the effect of Garcinia kola on intraocular pressure in 46 healthy participants. Participants were randomized to receive either Garcinia kola or placebo (water). Subjects were eligible for this trial if their baseline intraocular pressure was between 11- 24 mmHg in both eyes. Participants were excluded if they were habitual or casual consumers of Garcinia kola. Participants had to take their assigned treatment followed by a five-day washout period. After the washout period, subjects were crossed over to the opposite treatment group. Intraocular pressure was measured every 45 minutes until a maximum of 135 minutes after ingestion of the assigned treatment. Garcinia kola (100mg/kg of bodyweight) was dissolved in 200mL of distilled water. The dose provided was equivalent to 5.0- 9.6g Garcinia kola depending on body weight. Intraocular pressure was measured three times in both eyes. The average of these measurements was used for analysis.
Of the 46 subjects enrolled in this study, 25 were male and 21 were female. The average age of participants was 23.29 ± 2.10 years old. All 46 subjects completed the trial. No significant difference was observed for age or gender in the effects of Garcinia kola on intraocular pressure readings.
Table 1. Garcinia kola versus placebo on intraocular pressure readings
| Garcinia kola treatment | Placebo (water) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IOP Reading | Percent Reduction | IOP Reading | Percent Reduction | |
| Baseline | 15.80 ± 2.47 mmHg | -- | 15.83 ± 2.76 mmHg | -- |
| 45 minutes | 13.55 ± 2.42 mmHg | 0.079 | 15.55 ± 2.82 mmHg | 0.018 |
| 90 minutes | 12.93 ± 2.42 mmHg | 0.182 | 15.68 ± 2.78 mmHg | 0.0095 |
| 135 minutes | 12.54 ± 2.38 mmHg | 0.206 | 15.53 ± 2.76 mmHg | 0.019 |
Table 2. Mean differences compared to baseline
| Garcinia kola treatment | Placebo (water) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Difference | Significance | Mean Difference | Significance | |
| Baseline v. 45min | 2.25 ± 0.24 | P <0.001 | 0.28 ± 0.124 | P = 0.195 |
| Baseline v. 90min | 2.87 ± 0.24 | P <0.001 | 0.15 ± 0.076 | P = 0.340 |
| Baseline v. 135min | 3.26 ± 0.29 | P <0.001 | 0.30 ± 0.096 | P = 0.020 |
Statistical analysis revealed that consumption of 100 mg/kg body weight of Garcinia kola had a significant effect on intraocular pressure (F = 90.35, P<0.0001). Results can be seen in Table 1 and Table 2. In the placebo treatment, a significant effect of time was observed on intraocular pressure measurements after water intake.
Overall, researchers demonstrated that consumption of Garcinia kola could significantly reduce intraocular pressure in healthy subjects. This is supported by previous studies recording significant reductions in intraocular pressure following application of Garcinia kola 4, 5. Further studies will be needed to verify these results in patients with glaucoma.
Source: Ilechie, Alex A., Mohammed M. Jeduah, Carl H. Abraham, Stephen Ocansey, Emmanuel Abu, Theophilus Okyere, and Obarijima Ngosaro. “Oral consumption of Garcinia kola (Bitter kola) lowers intraocular pressure.” Acta ophthalmologica 98, no. 8 (2020): e1028-e1033.
© 2020 Acta Ophthalmologica Scandinavica Foundation. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd
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Posted October 18, 2021.
Chrystal Moulton BA, PMP, is a 2008 graduate of the University of Illinois at Chicago. She graduated with a bachelor’s in psychology with a focus on premedical studies and is a licensed project manager. She currently resides in Indianapolis, IN.
References:
- Ilechie AA, Jeduah MM, Abraham CH, et al. Oral consumption of Garcinia kola(Bitter kola) lowers intraocular pressure. Acta Ophthalmol. Dec 2020;98(8):e1028-e1033. doi:10.1111/aos.14440
- Leung EW, Medeiros FA, Weinreb RN. Prevalence of ocular surface disease in glaucoma patients. J Glaucoma. Aug 2008;17(5):350-5. doi:10.1097/IJG.0b013e31815c5f4f
- Adegbehingbe OO, Adesanya SA, Idowu TO, Okimi OC, Oyelami OA, Iwalewa EO. Clinical effects of Garcinia kola in knee osteoarthritis. J Orthop Surg Res. Jul 30 2008;3:34. doi:10.1186/1749-799x-3-34
- Adefule-Ositelu A, Adefule A, Dosa B, Giwa M. Effects of Garcinia kola nut extracts on the intraocular pressures and pupillary diameters of laboratory animals’ eyes. Nig Qt J Hosp Med. 1996;6:242-7.
- Adefule-Ositelu AO, Adegbehingbe BO, Adefule AK, Adegbehingbe OO, Samaila E, Oladigbolu K. Efficacy of Garcinia kola 0.5% aqueous eye drops in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension. Middle East African Journal of Ophthalmology. 2010;17(1):88.
