Indian traditional medicinal plants in ophthalmic diseases
Authors
Sana Nafees
Department of Ocular Biochemistry, Dr. Rajendra Prasad Centre for Ophthalmic Sciences, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
Jamal Akhtar
Central Council for Research in Unani Medicine, Ministry of AYUSH, Govt. of India, New Delhi, India
Jasbir Kaur
Department of Ocular Biochemistry, Dr. Rajendra Prasad Centre for Ophthalmic Sciences, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
Objective:
Traditional herbal plants have been in use since ancient times to treat ophthalmic conditions; so, the aim of this study is to evaluate some potent Indian traditional medicinal plants used in ophthalmic diseases in order to summarize their potential effect in ophthalmology along with their mechanism of action.
Materials and Methods:
Databases PubMed, Google Scholar, and Embase were extensively explored. Additionally, relevant textbooks and literatures were consulted to summarize most of the considerable scientific literature for the review. Search term included ophthalmology, glaucoma, cataract, trachoma, conjunctivitis, traditional medicines, Unani drugs, and ayurvedic drugs were used. Around 80 review articles were consulted from the year 1982 to 2021.
Results:
The traditional medicinal plants are easily available, cost-effective and have no associated side effects in comparison to current conventional treatments. Moreover, these drugs in oppose to modern medicine, have an inherent potential to accelerate the body’s own immunity to fight against any infection. A large volume of scientific studies has reported the beneficial effects of traditional drugs in ophthalmology.
Conclusion:
This review, therefore, describes the potential benefits and uses of some traditional medicinal plants used in ophthalmic diseases.
Key Words: Ophthalmology, Atropa belladonna, Crocus sativus, Coptis teeta, Foeniculum vulgare, Gingko biloba
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