| Title |
The Claim of Anti-Cataract Potential of Heliotropium indicum: A Myth or Reality?
|
|---|---|
| Published in |
Ophthalmology and Therapy, November 2015
|
| DOI | 10.1007/s40123-015-0042-2 |
| Pubmed ID | |
| Authors |
Samuel Kyei, George Asumeng Koffuor, Paul Ramkissoon, Clement Afari, Emmanuel Akomanin Asiamah |
| Abstract |
Heliotropium indicum has several uses in traditional medicine attributable to its numerous bioactive compounds. It is used as a traditional remedy for cataracts in Ghana without any scientific verification. This study aimed at verifying the anti-cataract properties of an aqueous whole plant extract of H. indicum. The effect (cataract score) of 30, 100, and 300 mg kg(-1) extract (bid for 21 days, per os) on the development of 30 µmol kg(-1) sodium selenite-induced cataract in 10-day-old rat pups was investigated. Soluble lens proteins alpha A and alpha B crystallins, total lens protein, total lens glutathione, and aquaporin 0 in enucleated lens homogenates were determined spectrophotometrically using commercially available kits. Histopathological studies on the lenses were also performed. The 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl scavenging effect and linoleic acid autoxidation (antioxidant properties) of the extract (0.1-3.0 mg ml(-1)), compared to n-propyl gallate, were ascertained using standard procedures. Cataract scores showed that the extract, at all dose levels, significantly alleviated selenite-induced cataracts (P ≤ 0.001). Markers of lens transparency (aquaporin 0, alpha A and B crystallins), as well as total lens proteins and lens glutathione levels, were significantly preserved (P ≤ 0.01-0.001). The extract exhibited activity relevant for scavenging free radicals and inhibition of lipid peroxidation. Epithelial and lens fiber integrity in the histopathological assessment were maintained with HIE treatment. The aqueous whole plant extract of H. indicum significantly inhibited the development of cataracts in rats via multiple mechanisms. |
X Demographics
The data shown below were collected from the profiles of 3 X users who shared this research output. Click here to find out more about how the information was compiled.
Geographical breakdown
| Country | Count | As % |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | 1 | 33% |
| Unknown | 2 | 67% |
Demographic breakdown
| Type | Count | As % |
|---|---|---|
| Members of the public | 2 | 67% |
| Science communicators (journalists, bloggers, editors) | 1 | 33% |
Mendeley readers
The data shown below were compiled from readership statistics for 24 Mendeley readers of this research output. Click here to see the associated Mendeley record.
Geographical breakdown
| Country | Count | As % |
|---|---|---|
| Unknown | 24 | 100% |
Demographic breakdown
| Readers by professional status | Count | As % |
|---|---|---|
| Student > Bachelor | 5 | 21% |
| Student > Postgraduate | 3 | 13% |
| Researcher | 3 | 13% |
| Student > Ph. D. Student | 2 | 8% |
| Student > Master | 2 | 8% |
| Other | 2 | 8% |
| Unknown | 7 | 29% |
| Readers by discipline | Count | As % |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmaceutical Science | 3 | 13% |
| Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology | 3 | 13% |
| Medicine and Dentistry | 3 | 13% |
| Nursing and Health Professions | 2 | 8% |
| Chemistry | 2 | 8% |
| Other | 4 | 17% |
| Unknown | 7 | 29% |
Attention Score in Context
This research output has an Altmetric Attention Score of 2. This is our high-level measure of the quality and quantity of online attention that it has received. This Attention Score, as well as the ranking and number of research outputs shown below, was calculated when the research output was last mentioned on 25 November 2015.
All research outputs
#14,828,686
of 22,834,308 outputs
Outputs from Ophthalmology and Therapy
#262
of 571 outputs
Outputs of similar age
#214,487
of 386,225 outputs
Outputs of similar age from Ophthalmology and Therapy
#4
of 5 outputs
Altmetric has tracked 22,834,308 research outputs across all sources so far. This one is in the 32nd percentile – i.e., 32% of other outputs scored the same or lower than it.
So far Altmetric has tracked 571 research outputs from this source. They typically receive a little more attention than average, with a mean Attention Score of 5.9. This one has gotten more attention than average, scoring higher than 50% of its peers.
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We're also able to compare this research output to 5 others from the same source and published within six weeks on either side of this one.