Abstract

ANTICATARACT ACTIVITY OF STACHYTARPHETA JAMAICENSIS L. AGAINST GLUCOSE-INDUCED CATARACTOGENESIS USING GOAT EYE LENSES

Vishali Arulkumar*, Umamaheswari Muthuswamy

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Abstract

The current study aims to assess the efficacy of an ethanolic leaf extract of Stachytarpheta jamaicensis L. against glucose-induced cataract using isolated goat lenses. Goat lenses taken from local slaughterhouses were incubated in artificial aqueous humour containing 55 mM of glucose (cataractogenesis) with the ethanolic leaf extract of Stachytarpheta jamaicensis L in varied doses at room temperature for 72 hours. The opacification of the lens began after 8 hours in the negative control group and was completely opacified after 48 hours. In addition, there was a significant rise in malondialdehyde, lipid hydroperoxides, and protein carbonyl content, as well as a decrease in Ca2+ ATPase activity, protein content, and antioxidant enzymes when compared to the control group. The extract and quercetin reversed these changes. The results indicate that ethanolic leaf extract of Stachytarpheta jamaicensis L. protected lens against glucose-induced cataractogenesis which might be helpful in delaying the progression of cataract.

Keywords: Cataract, Stachytarpheta jamaicensis L, Goat lenses, quercetin, Glucose, Antioxidant.