Prevention of Selenite-Induced Cataractogenesis by an Ethanolic Extract of Cineraria maritima: An Experimental Evaluation of the Traditional Eye Medication

Abstract

In the present study, the antioxidant potential of an ethanolic extract of Cineraria maritima and its efficacy in preventing selenite-induced cataractogenesis were assessed in vitro and in vivo. In the in vitro phase of the study, lenses dissected out from the eyes of Wistar rats were incubated for 24 h at 37 °C in Dulbecco's modified Eagle medium (DMEM) alone (group I), in DMEM containing 100 μM of selenite only (group II), or in DMEM containing 100 μM of selenite and 300 μg/ml C. maritima extract added at the same time (group III). Gross morphological examination of the lenses revealed dense opacification in group II, minimal opacification in group III, and no opacification in group I lenses. The mean activities of the antioxidant enzymes catalase, glutathione peroxidase, and superoxide dismutase were significantly lower in group II than in group I or group III lenses, while malondialdehyde concentration was significantly higher in group II lenses than in group I and group III lenses. In the in vivo phase of the study, dense opacification of lenses was noted in all rat pups (100%) that had received a single subcutaneous injection of sodium selenite alone (19 μM/kg body weight) on postpartum day 10, whereas cataract formation occurred in only 33.3% of rat pups that had received selenite as well as an intraperitoneal injection of the extract of C. maritima (350 mg/kg body weight) for five consecutive days. These observations suggest that the ethanolic extract of C. maritima may prevent experimental selenite-induced cataractogenesis.

Prevention of selenite-induced cataractogenesis by hydroalchoholic extract of Echium amoenum: An experimental evaluation of the Iranian traditional eye medication

“…By subcutaneous injection of 20-30 nmol / kg body weight of selenite, cataracts begins after 3-4 days in the lens of young rat eyes and is completed until a week (48). Various pharmacological agents possessing antioxidant properties to neutralize oxidative stress have been shown to protect against seleniteinduced cataractogenesis in experimental animal models (11)(12)(13)15,21). The data of the present study demonstrate that Echium amoenum extract can protect against seleniteinduced cataract.…”

“…Like other organs, the lens has a welldesigned system of defense against oxidation. Primary defenses include non-enzymatic antioxidants, such as glutathione, vitamin E, vitamin C, and carotenoids (21,47). The using of sodium selenite is the easiest and most accessible method that has been used for cataract formation model in young rats.…”

“…Free radical-induced oxidative stress is an important risk factor in the development of age-related cataract (8). This hypothesis is supported by the anticataractogenic effect of various antioxidant compounds such as: melatonin ( 9), resveratrol (10), acetyl-L-carnitine (11,12), ellagic acid (13), l-cysteine and vitamin C (14), Nacetylcysteine (15), rutin (16), vitamin C (17), Lycopene (18), vitamin-E (19,20) and extracts such as: Origanum vulgar (5), Cineraria maritime (21), soya bean (22), Pleurotus ostreatus (23), Onion juice (24), Embelica officinalis (25) in experimental animals. Surgery is generally accepted as the only treatment for human cataract (10) but requirement for highly trained personnel and the cost of surgery pose a significant economic problem (1).…”

Herbal Drugs for Ophthalmic Use

“…The ethanolic extract of C. maritima exerts an anticataractogenic effect in in vitro and in vivo selenite-induced rat models (Anitha et al 2011 ). These effects may be attributed to the plant's ability to reduce the formation of formazan crystals and scavenging ability of hydroxyl, superoxide, and nitric oxide.…”

A Methanolic Extract of Ocimum basilicum Exhibits Antioxidant Effects and Prevents Selenite-induced Cataract Formation in Cultured Lenses of Wistar Rats

“…9 Antioxidants from natural sources, rather than synthetic antioxidants, are preferred for use. 10 Antioxidant-replete plant extracts which reportedly exhibit anticataractogenic potential include Pleurotus ostreatus (Oyster mushroom), 11 Ocimum sanctum, 12 Vitex negundo, 13 Cineraria maritima, 14 Aegle marmelos, 15 Tabernaemontana divaricata 16 and Leucas aspera. 17 Crude extracts of medicinal herbs are possibly more biologicallyactive than are purified compounds.…”