Impact of Solanum Melongena Peel on Arsenic-Induced Bowen's Disease

Background with objective: About millions of Bangladeshi people are chronically exposed to high concentration of arsenic through contaminated drinking water and thus suffering from arsenic-related health hazards. In arsenicosis, skin manifestations like melanosis, leucomelanosis and keratosis occur commonly. In addition, it may cause Bowen’s disease. This study was conducted to confirm the effect of the ointment containing Solanum melongena peel extract in the treatment of arsenic-induced Bowen’s disease. Methodology: This Observational comparative study was carried out among 08 arsenic induced Bowen’s disease patients at the Pharmacology department, Bangladesh Medical University (BMU), Dhaka and two arsenic affected endemic areas [Bhanga Upazilla of Faridpur District (about 150 km from Dhaka) and Babutipara Union, Muradnagar Upazilla, Cumilla District (about 108 km from Dhaka)] from September 2017 to January 2019. Purposive sampling was done according to availability of the patients. All the data were compiled and sorted properly and the quantitative data was analyzed statistically by using Statistical Package for Social Science. Result: In patients with arsenic-induced Bowen’s disease, the mean (± SD) size of the lesions was 4.5 ± 2.9 cm2 before intervention and 2.7 ± 1.9 cm2after interventions. The percentage of reduction was 40. P-value was 0.027 for arsenic-induced Bowen’s disease. This result was statistically significant. Conclusion: The present study reveals that S. melongena peel extract is effective in the treatment of clinically diagnosed, arsenic-induced Bowen’s disease.