Preventive effect of onion juice on selenite-induced experimental cataract.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effects of onion juice on sodium-selenite induced cataract formation.


METHODS
Thirty-two 10-day-old Wistar-albino rat pups were divided into four equal groups. Group 1 received only subcutaneous saline injection. In Group 2, sodium-selenite (30 nmol / g body weight) was injected subcutaneously. In Group 3, subcutaneous sodium-selenite was injected and one drop 50% diluted fresh juice of crude onion was instilled every 8 h into the right eye for 14 days; the left eye received no treatment. Group 4 rats were similar to those of Group 3, the only difference being that of undiluted fresh juice of crude onion. The development of cataract was assessed. Rat lenses were analyzed for total antioxidant (TA) level, and for activities of glutathione peroxidase (GPX) and superoxide dismutase (SOD).


RESULTS
Both eyes of all rats in Group 1 did not exhibit cataract formation . In Group 2, all rats developed Grade 3 cataract in the lenses of both eyes. The difference in exhibited cataract in the lens of the right eyes in all rats between Group 2 and any eyes of groups 3 or 4 were significant ( P = 0.001). The mean TA level and mean activities of SOD and GPX in Group 2 rat lenses were significantly lower than the values in lenses of all rats in Group 1 ( P = 0.001, 0.003, 0.001), and in the lenses of the right eyes of rats in Groups 3 and 4 ( P = 0.001, 0.020, 0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
Instillation of onion juice into the rat eyes can effectively prevent selenite-induced cataract formation. This effect was associated with increased TA level, SOD and GPX activities in the lens.
Javadzadeh
Alireza
A
Department of Ophthalmology, Nikookari Eye Hospital, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran. javadzadehalireza@yahoo.com
Ghorbanihaghjo
Amir
A
Bonyadi
Somayeh
S
Rashidi
Mohammad Reza
MR
Mesgari
Mehran
M
Rashtchizadeh
Nadereh
N
Argani
Hassan
H
D000287:Administration, Topical; D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000378:metabolism; D002386:Cataract / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000378:metabolism / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005260:Female; D005978:Glutathione / Q000378:metabolism; D007908:Lens, Crystalline / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D019697:Onions; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D018038:Sodium Selenite; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase / Q000378:metabolism
D000975:Antioxidants; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D010936:Plant Extracts; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase; D005978:Glutathione; D018038:Sodium Selenite