ABSTRACT
AIM: To evaluate anti cataract effect of phyllanthus niruri (PN) both in vitro and in vivo galactose induced cataract.METHODS: Aqueous extract of PN was evaluated against galactose-induced cataract both in vitro and in vivo. Galactosaemic cataract was induced in rats by feeding 300g/L galactose diet. PN was administered orally at three-dose levels 75, 150 and 300 mg/kg of body weight. Rat lenses were subjected to osmotic stress in vitro by incorporating galactose (30mmol/L) in the culture medium. The effect of PN (720 and 880μg/mL) on the glutathione (GSH) and polyols levels was studied.RESULTS: PN significantly delayed the onset and progression of cataract in vivo. In addition to the delay in reaching various stages of development of cataract, stage IV did not develop with lower doses till the completion of experimental period. Lenses treated with PN 880μg/mL concentration showed higher levels of GSH and decreased levels of polyols in vitro. In vivo, 75mg/kg significantly delayed the onset and progression of cataract as compared to control.CONCLUSION: PN delayed the process of cataracto-genesis in the experimental models. However, further study is required to extrapolate the use in human beings for the prevention of cataract.
ABSTRACT
To evaluate the in vitro and in vivo anti-cataract potential of Trigonella foenum-graecum [TF] on galactose induced cataracts in an animal model. In the in vitro group, enucleated rat lenses were maintained in organ culture containing Dulbecco's Modified Eagles Medium alone [normal group], or with the addition of 30 mM galactose [control group]. The medium in the test group was supplemented with both galactose and TF. All lenses were incubated at 37°C for 24 hours and then processed for determination of levels of reduced glutathione and malondialdehyde. In the in vivo group, cataracts were induced in rats by a 30% galactose diet alone [control] or with the addition of TF [treated group]. Reduction [26%] in glutathione level and elevation [31%] in malondialdehyde content were observed in controls as compared to normal lenses. TF significantly [P<0.01] restored glutathione and reduced malondialdehyde levels as compared to controls. A significant delay in the onset and progression of cataract was observed with 2.5% TF diet; after 30 days none of the treated eyes developed mature cataracts as compared to 100% of control eyes. TF can delay the onset and progression of cataracts in an experimental rat model of galactose induced cataracts both in vitro and in vivo