Preventive effect of onion juice on selenite-induced experimental cataract

Abstract

Purpose:To evaluate the effects of onion juice on sodium-selenite induced cataract formation.Materials and Methods:Thirty-two 10-day-old Wistar-albino rat pups were divided into four equal groups. Group 1 received only subcutaneous saline injection. In Group 2, sodium-selenite (30 nmol/g body weight) was injected subcutaneously. In Group 3, subcutaneous sodium-selenite was injected and one drop 50% diluted fresh juice of crude onion was instilled every 8 h into the right eye for 14 days; the left eye received no treatment. Group 4 rats were similar to those of Group 3, the only difference being that of undiluted fresh juice of crude onion. The development of cataract was assessed. Rat lenses were analyzed for total antioxidant (TA) level, and for activities of glutathione peroxidase (GPX) and superoxide dismutase (SOD).Results:Both eyes of all rats in Group 1 did not exhibit cataract formation. In Group 2, all rats developed Grade 3 cataract in the lenses of both eyes. The difference in exhibited cataract in the lens of the right eyes in all rats between Group 2 and any eyes of groups 3 or 4 were significant (P = 0.001). The mean TA level and mean activities of SOD and GPX in Group 2 rat lenses were significantly lower than the values in lenses of all rats in Group 1 (P = 0.001, 0.003, 0.001), and in the lenses of the right eyes of rats in Groups 3 and 4 (P = 0.001, 0.020, 0.001).Conclusion:Instillation of onion juice into the rat eyes can effectively prevent selenite-induced cataract formation. This effect was associated with increased TA level, SOD and GPX activities in the lens.

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

“…In our study, such a decline in activities of antioxidant enzymes was prevented in lenses treated with the C. maritima extract. This observation suggests that treatment of lenses exposed to selenite with an antioxidant helps to maintain antioxidant enzymes at near-normal activities and is consistent with findings reported in the literature [18,19,25,36,48].…”

“…The reliability and extensive characterization of selenite cataract makes it a useful rodent model for rapid screening of potential anticataract agents [16]. Molecules that have been shown by experimental studies to prevent selenite-induced cataractogenesis include melatonin [15], resveratrol [17], acetyl-L-carnitine [18,19], ellagic acid [20], soya bean [21], L-cysteine [22], N-acetylcysteine [23], an extract of Pleurotus ostreatus [24], and onion juice [25]. However, there is a need to evaluate additional compounds for their anticataractogenic effects.…”

Cataract: A major secondary diabetic complication

“…For the treatment of cataract there is no medicine available except surgery. However it has also some complication such as posterior capsular opacification, endopthalmitis and uncontrolled residual refractive errors (Javadzadeh et al, 2009). So this type of therapeutic approach can reduces health burden.…”

“…Many study shows that flavonoids, a group of phytoconstituents with antioxidant properties can prevent the oxidative damage and cataract progression. Onion a flavonoids rich staple food is example in which major flavonoids are identified for antioxidant properties including quercetin, quercetin-4-glucoside and quercetin-3,4'-diglucoside (Javadzadeh et al, 2009). According to world health organisation (WHO) reports it seems that about 80% of world population are uses herbal medicine for health needs .…”

“…Sorbitol as an osmolyte that leads to osmotic swelling, changes in the membrane permeability, leackage of glutathione, myo-inositol, the generation of free radicals and hydrogen peroxide which primarily causing the diabetic complication such as cataract, retinopathy and neuropathy (Jung et al, 2011). Hydrogen peroxide at higher concentration can cause lens opacification and tissue damage similar to that found in human cataract (Javadzadeh et al, 2009) …”