@article {917, title = {A Methanolic Extract of Ocimum basilicum Exhibits Antioxidant Effects and Prevents Selenite-induced Cataract Formation in Cultured Lenses of Wistar Rats}, journal = {Pharmacognosy Journal}, volume = {11}, year = {2019}, month = {May 2019}, pages = {496-504}, type = {Original Article}, chapter = {496}, abstract = {

Objective: An extract (Methanolic) of the Ocimum basilicum leaf was analysed for potential to abrogate experimental formation of cataract in-vitro. Methods: Phytoconstituents were first detected in O. basilicum extracts (Aqueous or methanolic) by gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric analysis. The putative antioxidant activity of these extracts was then assessed by measuring in-vitro radical-scavenging activity, ion-chelating potential and reducing potency. Potential cytotoxicity of the extract on Human lenticular epithelial B3 (HLE-B3) cells was also sought. Finally, possible prevention of cataract formation by the methanolic extract was gauged in selenite-exposed lenses obtained from Wistar rats. There were 3 groups (8 Lenses in each): Group I (Lenses incubated in Dulbecco{\textquoteright}s modified Eagle{\textquoteright}s medium [DMEM] alone); Group II (Lenses incubated in DMEM with sodium selenite [100 μM/ml]); Group III (Lenses incubated in DMEM with selenite [100 μM/ml] and the O. basilicum methanolic extract (200 μg/ml DMEM). Gross lenticular morphology was assessed. Levels of lenticular malondialdehyde (MDA) and reduced glutathione (GSH) were also measured. Results: A higher intensity of antioxidative activity was noted in the methanolic extract than in the aqueous extract. The methanolic extract exhibited negligible cytotoxicity. On morphological examination, marked opacification was seen in all 8 Group II lenses whereas there was no opacification in 7 of 8 Group III lenses. Near normal mean levels of reduced glutathione and malondialdehyde, were noted within Group III lenses. Conclusion: The methanolic extract of the O. basilicum leaf appears to prevent selenite-induced cataract formation in-vitro.

}, keywords = {Antioxidants, Cataract, Crystallins, Ocimum basilicum, Oxidative stress, Phytoconstituents}, doi = {10.5530/pj.2019.11.79}, author = {Thiraviyam Anand and Mahalingam Sundararajan and Muniyandi Anbukkarasi and Philip Aloysius Thomas and Pitchairaj Geraldine} } @article {228, title = {Evaluation of Lens Aldose Reductase Inhibitory and Free Radical Scavenging Potential of Fractions of Lonchocarpus cyanescens: Potential for Cataract Remediation}, journal = {Pharmacognosy Journal}, volume = {9}, year = {2017}, month = {December 2016}, pages = {62-69}, type = {Original Article}, chapter = {62}, abstract = {

Introduction: Current research effort at discovering effective anticataract agent is focus on evaluating Aldose reductase inhibition (ARI) capacities of medicinal plants and plant extracts. The present study was aimed at investigating the in vitro ARI activity of fractions of Lonchocarpus cyanescens leaves on partially purified AR from goat lens. Methods: Phytochemical constituents of the leaves were screened for using aqueous and methanolic extract while in vitro free radical scavenging and ARI activities of the fractions were evaluated using partially purified aldose reductase. Kinetics of the enzyme in the presence of fractions of the leaves was then compared using Lineweaver-Burk plot. Results: Phenol, flavonoid, tannins and phlobatannins were detected in both extracts. All the fractions inhibited AR significantly but this was strongest with aqueous (IC50, 0.06 \± 0.02 mM-1 and chloroform fractions (IC50, 0.09 \± 0.01 mM-1). Ethyl acetate, hexane and methanol fraction showed competitive inhibition whereas the aqueous and chloroform fractions showed mixed inhibition with a different Vmax and Km when compared with DL-glyceraldehyde. All the fractions also showed antioxidant capacities but this was also strongest with aqueous fraction. Conclusion: The study confirms the ARI and antioxidant capacity of Lonchocarpus cyanescens which may be attributed to its phenolic constituents and whose extraction is solvent dependent. The plant may therefore serve as a base for the development of anticataract agent.

}, keywords = {Aldose reductase, Cataract, Free radical, Medicinal plant, Phytochemical constituents.}, doi = {10.5530/pj.2017.1.12}, author = {Emmanuel Oladipo AJANI and Saheed SABIU and Kuburat Temitope ODUFUWA and Taiwo Bashir Ibrahim and Bamidele Adewale Salau} }