Sorghum bicolor

Non-communicable diseases such as glaucoma, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus present growing health and economic challenges, especially in sub-Saharan Africa. This study investigated the individual and combined effects of Sorghum bicolor and Hibiscus sabdariffa leaf extracts on intraocular pressure (IOP), blood pressure (BP), and blood glucose (BG) levels in adults. The increasing prevalence of these metabolic and ocular disorders highlights the need for safer, affordable, and accessible interventions, particularly in resource-limited settings. A prospective cross-sectional experimental study was conducted among 182 normotensive adults aged 25–60 years at the University of Benin. Participants received standardized single oral doses of Sorghum bicolor, Hibiscus sabdariffa, and their combination on separate days. Baseline and fourhour post-administration measurements of IOP, BP, and BG were obtained and analyzed using paired t-tests and repeated-measures ANOVA at a significance level of p < 0.05. Results showed that both Sorghum bicolor and Hibiscus sabdariffa significantly reduced IOP and BG levels (p < 0.05) but had no significant effect on systolic or diastolic BP after acute administration. The combined extract produced a modest additional reduction in diastolic BP and IOP, though no synergistic effect was observed for BG lowering compared to individual extracts. These findings provide scientific support for the ethnomedical use of these botanicals in promoting ocular and metabolic health. However, their antihypertensive benefits may require prolonged administration or may be more pronounced in hypertensive individuals. The study concludes that Sorghum bicolor and Hibiscus sabdariffa are safe, culturally acceptable, and potentially beneficial adjuncts for improving glycemic control and reducing glaucoma risk in resource-limited populations. Further research should explore chronic effects, optimal dosing, mechanisms of action, and their possible integration into public health strategies.

Non-communicable diseases like high blood pressure, diabetes, and glaucoma cause serious health issues and hardships in sub-Saharan Africa, often made worse by a lack of access to regular medical services. This research examines how the leaf extracts from Sorghum bicolor and Andrographis paniculata affect blood pressure, blood sugar, and eye pressure in healthy adults, both separately and together. One hundred and seventy-four (174) participants (mean age 34.3 ± 7.1 years) received single administrations of hot aqueous extracts of S. bicolor, A. paniculata, or a 1:1 mixed extract. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure (mmHg), fasting blood glucose (mg/dL) and IOP (mmHg, right eye [RE] and left eye [LE]) were measured at baseline and four hours post- administration. The results revealed statistically significant reductions (p < 0.05) across all parameters in all treatment groups. For Sorghum bicolor, systolic pressure decreased from 126.15 ± 15.9 to 120.80 ± 15.0 mmHg, diastolic pressure from 85.60 ± 11.1 to 80.03 ± 10.4 mmHg, blood glucose from 82.86 ± 14.61 to 70.39 ± 11.99 mg/dL, and IOP from 16.88 ± 2.5 to 15.83 ± 1.6 mmHg (right eye) and from 17.14 ± 1.93 to 16.12 ± 1.8 mmHg (left eye). Similar reductions were observed with Andrographis paniculata, where systolic pressure fell from 129.44 ± 14.7 to 121.20 ± 16.9 mmHg, diastolic pressure from 84.60 ± 13.3 to 77.13 ± 11.4 mmHg, and blood glucose from 83.61 ± 13.2 to 75.26 ± 11.43 mg/dL, while IOP decreased to 14.49 ± 2.0 mmHg (right) and 15.98 ± 2.0 mmHg (left). The combined extract produced the greatest effect, with systolic pressure reducing from 134.63 ± 15.7 to 128.68 ± 15.9 mmHg, diastolic pressure from 87.10 ± 22.1 to 77.90 ± 12.2 mmHg, blood glucose from 80.42 ± 12.04 to 74.40 ± 10.20 mg/dL, and IOP from 15.94 ± 1.8 to 14.94 ± 2.0 mmHg (right) and 15.67 ± 1.5 to 15.13 ± 2.7 mmHg (left). These results demonstrate that both Sorghum bicolor and Andrographis paniculata extracts—singularly and in combination—can significantly lower blood pressure, blood glucose, and intraocular pressure within a short period following administration. The enhanced effects observed with the combined extract suggest possible synergistic interactions between their phytochemical constituents.