title: Vitex negundo modulates selenite-induced opacification and cataractogensis in rat pups.
abstract: Recently, much interest has been generated in the search for phytochemical therapeutics, as they are largely free from adverse side effects and economical. The goal of this study was to determine the efficacy of Vitex negundo in modulating the selenite-induced oxidative stress in vivo model. Sprague-Dawley rat pups of 8 days old were used for the study and divided into control (G I), selenite induced (G II), and selenite + V. negundo treated (G III). Cataract was induced by the single subcutaneous injection of sodium selenite (4 mg/kg body weight) on the tenth day and V. negundo (2.5 mg/Kg body weight) administered intraperitoneally from eighth to 15th day. Morphological examination of the rat lenses revealed no opacification in G I and mild opacification in G III whereas dense opacification in G II (stages 4-6). Levels of selenium in G II and G III showed no significant changes. The activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase, and Ca(2+)ATPase were significantly increased in G III compared to G II (p < 0.05), while lower level of reactive oxygen species, Ca(2+), and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances were observed in G III compared G II (p < 0.05). These results indicate the therapeutic potential of methanolic extract of V. negundo on modulating biochemical parameters against selenite-induced cataract, which have been reported in this paper for the first time.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, University of Kerala, Kariavattom, Thiruvananthapuram, 695581 Kerala, India.
authors.forename: B N
authors.initials: BN
authors.lastname: Rooban
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Sasikala
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Sahasranamam
authors.forename: Annie
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Abraham
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D000252:Calcium-Transporting ATPases / Q000378:metabolism; D002374:Catalase / Q000378:metabolism; D002386:Cataract / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D015227:Lipid Peroxidation / Q000187:drug effects; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000378:metabolism; D018038:Sodium Selenite / Q000633:toxicity*; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase / Q000378:metabolism; D017392:Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances / Q000378:metabolism; D020950:Vitex / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D010936:Plant Extracts; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; D017392:Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances; D002374:Catalase; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase; D000252:Calcium-Transporting ATPases; D018038:Sodium Selenite