EFFECT OF PEPPER FRUIT ON TEARS PRODUCTION

Abstract

Pepper fruit (Dennetia tripetala) is a well-known forest fruit from the family
Annonacea and has been found to contain lots of minerals, vitamins, alkaloids and
trace elements which are of medicinal importance. Studies have shown that pepper
fruit contains stimulants. Stimulants affect the nervous system. This study therefore,
was aimed at investigating the effect of pepper fruit on tear production. Forty
volunteers of age between 18-30 years were used. The tear volume of each
individual was measured before and after ingestion of 1.25g of pepper fruit using
schirmers strip. The measurement after ingestion of pepper fruit was done at 30
minutes, 60 minutes and 90 minutes. The mean baseline tear production was 25.85
± 8.7mm (± Standard deviation) and the mean change in tear production after 30, 60
and 90 minutes interval was 22.73 ± 10.46mm, 19.50 ± 11.2mm and 20.55 ±
10.92mm respectively. Statistical analysis using paired t-test indicated a significance
difference in the mean tear production (p<0.05) in the selected sample with the
maximum reduction in tear production at 60 mins