Oxidative stress has long been recognized as an important mediator in the pathogenesis of
cataract and the goal of this study was to determine the efficacy of isorhamnetin-3-glucoside (IR3G) in alleviating the toxicity induced by
sodium selenite in in vitro culture condition. IR3G is the bioactive
flavonoid isolated and characterized from the leaves of Cochlospermum religiosum. Enucleated rat
lenses were maintained in organ culture containing M-199 medium alone (G-I), supplemented with 0.1 mM
selenite (G-II) and
selenite + 25 microg/ml IR3G (G-III). Treatment to G-III was from the second to fifth day while
selenite administration to G-II & III was done on the third day. The
antioxidant potential of the compound was assessed by Cu(2+) induced
lipoprotein diene formation and
superoxide scavenging assays. Morphological examination of the
lenses also gave a supporting data.
Antioxidant enzymes-
superoxide dismutase (SOD),
catalase and concentration of
reduced glutathione (GSH) were significantly lower, while
TBARS showed an increase in G-II than that in G-III and G-I
lenses. Activity of Ca(2+)-
ATPase was decreased and level of
calcium was increased in G-II than G-III and G-I
lenses. These data suggest that IR3G is able to significantly retard
selenite cataract in vitro by virtue of its
antioxidant property.