Abstract
Abstract: :
Purpose: Many research studies have shown that the dry Ginkgo Biloba extract (GbE) has anti–inflammatory, antioxidant and neuroprotective properties. Hyaluronic acid (HA) is well known for its mucomimetic and cytoprotective properties. A recently proposed eye drops formulation (TRIUM® eye drops, SOOFT Italy) combines the GbE (0.05%) and HA (0.15%). The objective of this study has been to test the efficacy and tolerability of this association in the treatment of allergic conjunctivitis. Methods: We assessed 40 patients of both sexes (26 males and 14 females), more than 18 years old, suffering from allergic conjunctivitis. At the basal control, after one week of wash–out, we observed the symptomatology, we carried out the systemic laboratory tests (skin reaction, PRIST and RAST) and we carried out specific eye tests (conjunctival scraping and cytology of the lacrymal fluid). For inclusion in the study all the patients had to give their informed consent. For the evaluation of the symptoms we used a semiquantitive scale with a score from 0 to 4 for the signs (hyperaemia, chemosis and secretion) and from 0 to 3 for the symptoms (hitching, photophobia, burning sensation and lacrymation). The posology of the GbE–HA association was 2 drops per eye 3 times a day. We carried out two controls: at basal conditions and at the end of the treatment (after 15 days). The statistical analysis was carried out using the non–parametric Wilkoxon’s test. Results: At basal conditions all the patients had conjunctival hyperaemia, 50% had secretion, 25% had conjunctival chemosis, whereas 20% of the patients had a papillary reaction. All the patients reported hitching, whereas photophobia was present in 87.5% of the cases, lacrymation in 90% and burning in 77.5%. We found the treatment to be effective in reducing all the symptoms with a statistically significant difference (p<0.001). Hitching went from a score of 2.21 to 0.3; photophobia from 1.61 to 0.34; burning from 0.98 to 0.07; lacrymation from 1.10 to 0.15. The objective examination showed a decrease in hyperaemia (score from 1.33 to 0.8; p<0.05), secretion (score from 0.7 to 0.34; p<0.05) and chemosis. The speed of healing was found to be good in 81.3% of the cases. No topical side effects ascribable to the GbE–HA association were reported. Conclusions: Analysis of the data showed a statistically significant decrease in the symptoms and signs ascribed to allergic conjunctivitis, hence suggesting a positive pharmacological effect from the combination of GbE and HA.
Keywords: conjunctivitis • inflammation • immunomodulation/immunoregulation