Euphrasia rostkoviana hayne - active components and biological activity for the treatment of eye disorders

Abstract

Euphrasia rostkoviana Hayne is an annual hemiparasite wild grow in mountain medows. It is a medicinal plant also known as Aufraise, Augentrostkraut, Casse-Lunettes, Eufrasia, Euphraise, Euphrasia, Herbe d'Euphraise, Luminet, eyebright and other names. Folk medicine have known this plant and used the leaf, the stem, and small pieces of the flowers for the treatment of eye diseases. Herbalists use eyebright as a poultice with or without concurrent administration of a tea for the redness, swelling, and visual disturbances caused by blepharitis and conjunctivitis. The herb is also used for eyestrain and to relieve inflammation caused by colds, coughs, sinus infections, sore throats and hay fever. Short review aimed on the scientific facts which were publish in last decades. The principal compounds in the aerial parts were identified as iridoids, phenolic acids, phenylpropane-, and flavonoid-glycosides. The content of flavonoids, polyphenols, tannins and hydroxycinnamic derivatives were also determined. The antioxidant and antibacterial activity as well as imunomodulatory effect was performed. Despite its potential in treatment of eye diuseases, there are still less knowledge presented.