• Advances in Traditional Medicine
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.245-251
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• 2009

Aldose reductase (AR) has been reported to play an important role in sugar-induced cataract. In the present study, the AR inhibitory activity of Enicostemma hyssopifolium (EH), Gymnema sylvestre, Eclipta alba, and Tinospora cordifolia (TC) were studied along with their effect on sugar-induced cataractogenic changes in sheep lenses in vitro. AR inhibitory activity of the aqueous extracts of plants and their anticataract potentials were evaluated in vitro in sheep lenses, considering the activity of normal sheep lenses as 100%. The concentration of the plant extract that showed maximum activity was selected to further study its effect on galactose-induced polyol accumulation in vitro. The $IC_50$ values of EH and TC were calculated to be 102 and 85 ${\mu}g$/ml, respectively. EH showed a significant inhibition (61.3%) in polyol accumulation followed by TC (53.1%). EH and TC possesses a significant anticataract activity in vitro and its anticataract potential could be related with its AR inhibitory effect.

• Advances in Traditional Medicine
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.82-86
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• 2004

The efficacy of Kohl-Chikni Dawa (KCD), a compound ophthalmic formulation of Unani medicine, to control cataract development was explored in rats fed 25% galactose with the diet for 6 months. When one drop of 3% KCD solution was applied (once and twice daily) in both eyes for 6 months in galactose-fed rats, a significant reduction of lens opacification was noticed. The morphological changes of the lenses were observed every month by slit-lamp biomicroscope. These results suggest that the local application of 3% KCD solution possesses anticataract effect in galactose-fed rats.