Effect of Plectranthus Vettiveroides areal Parts on Oxidative Stress Markers in Hydrogen Peroxide Induced cataract

Abstract

The ability of Plectranthus vettiveroides areal part extract (PVE) to modulate biochemical parameters was

investigated by in vitro studies for its role in hydrogen peroxide induced cataract on isolated goat lenses which

were incubated for 72 h at 37°C.Test groups contained 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, and 30 µg/ml of PVE along with 1 ml

of H2O2 (0.5 mM) as cataract inducer. Lenses were examined for morphological variation and transparency

periodically during the incubation. Biochemical parameters such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), reduced

glutathione (GSH), total protein content (TPC), and malondialdehyde (MDA) were estimated. SOD, GSH, and

TPC levels were found to increase proportionally with the concentration of PVE. However, MDA levels were

found to be inversely proportional to the concentration of PVE. Opacity was graded as per “lens opacities

classification system III.” Morphological examination suggested that PVE (25 µg/ml) maintained a vision for

44 h. No lens in PVE dose groups developed dense nuclear opacity after 24 h as opposed to 80% in negative

control.The results suggest that PVE can delay the onset and/or prevent the progression of cataract which can

be attributed to the presence of adequate phenolics, flavonoids, and Vitamin A and its high nutritional value.

This preliminary study can be further synergized by testing PVE against other in vivo and in vitro models of

cataract.