title: Hypercholesterolemia-induced ocular disorder: Ameliorating role of phytotherapy.
abstract: The ocular region is a complex structure that allows conscious light perception and vision. It is of ecto-mesodermal origin. Cholesterol and polyunsaturated fatty acids are involved in retinal cell function; however, hypercholesterolemia and diabetes impair its function. Retinal damage, neovascularization, and cataracts are the main complications of cholesterol overload. Dietary supplementation of selected plant products can lead to the scavenging of free reactive oxygen species, thereby protecting the ocular regions from the damage of hypercholesterolemia. This review illustrates the dramatic effects of increased cholesterol levels on the ocular regions. The effect of phytotherapy is discussed in relation to the different regions of the eye, including the retina, cornea, and lens.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Science, Department of Zoology, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt. Electronic address: elsayyad@mans.edu.eg.
authors.forename: Hassan I H
authors.initials: HI
authors.lastname: El-Sayyad
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Science, Department of Zoology, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt.
authors.forename: Ahmed A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Elmansi
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Science, Department of Zoology, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt.
authors.forename: Eman H M
authors.initials: EH
authors.lastname: Bakr
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002386:Cataract / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood*; D003315:Cornea / Q000187:drug effects; D003316:Corneal Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D005123:Eye / Q000187:drug effects*; D005128:Eye Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D006937:Hypercholesterolemia / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications*; D007908:Lens, Crystalline / Q000187:drug effects; D019684:Magnoliopsida / Q000737:chemistry*; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D008517:Phytotherapy; D012160:Retina / Q000187:drug effects; D012164:Retinal Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D002784:Cholesterol
keywords: Cholesterol metabolism; Cornea; Hypercholesterolemia; Lens; Phytotherapy; Retina