title: Effect of standardized fruit extract of Luffa cylindrica on oxidative stress markers in hydrogen peroxide induced cataract.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The ability of Luffa cylindrica Roem fruit extract (LCE) to modulate biochemical parameters was investigated by in vitro studies for its role in hydrogen peroxide induced cataract on isolated goat lenses which were incubated for 72 h at 37°C.
  
  
  METHODS
  Test groups contained 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, and 30 µg/ml of LCE along with 1 ml of H2O2 (0.5 mM) as cataract inducer. Lenses were examined for morphological variation and transparency periodically during the incubation. Biochemical parameters such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), reduced glutathione (GSH), total protein content (TPC), and malondialdehyde (MDA) were estimated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  SOD, GSH, and TPC levels were found to increase proportionally with the concentration of LCE. However, MDA levels were found to be inversely proportional to the concentration of LCE. Opacity was graded as per "lens opacities classification system III." Morphological examination suggested that LCE (25 µg/ml) maintained a vision for 44 h. No lens in LCE dose groups developed dense nuclear opacity after 24 h as opposed to 80% in negative control.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results suggest that LCE can delay the onset and/or prevent the progression of cataract which can be attributed to the presence of adequate phenolics, flavonoids, and Vitamin A and its high nutritional value. This preliminary study can be further synergized by testing LCE against other in vivo and in vitro models of cataract.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, Amity Institute of Pharmacy Amity University Uttar Pradesh, Lucknow Campus, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India.
authors.forename: Suchita
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Dubey
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Biosciences and Biotechnology, Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India.
authors.forename: Sudipta
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Saha
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Biosciences and Biotechnology, Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India.
authors.forename: Gaurav
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Kaithwas
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Biosciences and Biotechnology, Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India.
authors.forename: Shubhini A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Saraf
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002386:Cataract / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005136:Eye Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D005419:Flavonoids / Q000032:analysis / Q000494:pharmacology; D005638:Fruit / Q000737:chemistry*; D005978:Glutathione / Q000378:metabolism; D006041:Goats; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000633:toxicity; D007908:Lens, Crystalline / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D015227:Lipid Peroxidation / Q000187:drug effects; D029776:Luffa / Q000737:chemistry*; D008315:Malondialdehyde / Q000378:metabolism; D016877:Oxidants / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000633:toxicity; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects*; D010636:Phenols / Q000032:analysis / Q000494:pharmacology; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase / Q000378:metabolism; D046509:Tissue Culture Techniques
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D005136:Eye Proteins; D005419:Flavonoids; D016877:Oxidants; D010636:Phenols; D010936:Plant Extracts; D008315:Malondialdehyde; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase; D005978:Glutathione
keywords: Anticataract; Luffa cylindrica; antioxidant; hydrogen peroxide; sponge gourd