THERAPEUTIC EFFICACY OF VERNONIA CINEREA IN SELENITE INDUCED CATARACT MODELS

We have evaluated the efficacy of methanolic extract of Vernonia cinerea (MEVC) in selenite induced cataract using Sprague Dawley rats. Previous reports suggest that phytochemicals or natural plant products retard the process of cataractogenesis by scavenging free oxygen radicals. Hence, the present study sought to assess the potential of MEVC on in vivo selenite induced cataract models. The antioxidant activity was comparatively studied using DPPH radical scavenging and FRAP assay. MEVC exhibited higher DPPH radical scavenging activity as well as reducing power assay. In this study, cataract was induced by a single subcutaneous injection of sodium selenite (4µg/ g body weight) on rat pups. MEVC was administered orally from 8^th day upto 21^st day at a concentration 5 µg/g body weight. Cataract was visualized on 16^th day with the help of an ophthalmoscope and later on with the naked eye. On the 30^th day, rats were euthanized by sodium pentothal injection, lenses were excised and the biochemical parameters such as activity of catalase (CAT), Ca²⁺ ATPase and the content of reactive oxygen species (ROS), lipid peroxidation products (TBARS) were estimated and found effective in the treatment of cataract. We have also carried out experiments to assess the non toxic nature of MEVC in liver, kidney and serum and observed no significant variation in the GOT and GPT levels