title: Bioactive fraction of Saraca indica prevents diabetes induced cataractogenesis: An aldose reductase inhibitory activity.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The present study was designed to investigate the effect of Saraca indica (SI) flowers extract and different bioactive fraction on in vitro aldose reductase (AR) inhibitory activity, high glucose-induced cataract in goat lens and in vivo streptozotocin (STZ; 45 mg/kg, i.p) induced cataract in rats.
  
  
  METHODS
  Extract of flowers of SI tested for inhibition against rat lens AR. Furthermore, bioactive fraction was investigated against high glucose-induced opacification of the lens in vitro lens culture and STZ induced diabetic cataract in rats. Identification of the bioactive component was attempted through high-performance thin-layer chromatography, high-performance liquid chromatography and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Ethyl acetate fraction of S. indica (EASI) produced maximum inhibition that may be due to high phenolic content. Goat lenses in media containing glucose developed a distinctly opaque ring in 72 h and treatment with EASI fraction lowered lens opacity in 72 h. Prolonged treatment with EASI to STZ-induced diabetic rats inhibited the AR activity and delayed cataract progression in a dose dependent manner.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Ethyl acetate fraction of S. indica fraction has potential to inhibit rat lens AR enzyme and prevent cataractogenesis not only in goat lens model (in vitro), but also in STZ induced diabetic rats (in vivo). This study is suggestive of the anticataract activity of EASI fraction that could be attributed to the phytoconstituents present in the same.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technology, Pharmacology Research Lab-II, Institute of Chemical Technology, (University under Section 3 of UGC Act-1956, Elite Status and Centre of Excellence, Government of Maharashtra, TEQIP Phase II Funded), Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.
authors.forename: Gauresh
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Somani
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technology, Pharmacology Research Lab-II, Institute of Chemical Technology, (University under Section 3 of UGC Act-1956, Elite Status and Centre of Excellence, Government of Maharashtra, TEQIP Phase II Funded), Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.
authors.forename: Sadhana
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sathaye
keywords: Cataractogenesis; Saraca indica; streptozotocin