Protective Effects of Phyllanthus emblica, Acorus calamus, and Chelidonium majus in an Animal Model of Cataract

Background and purpose: Cataract is a common disease and oxidative stress is recognized as a major cause in its development. The aim of this study was to investigate the protective effect of Phyllanthus emblica L., Acorus calamus L., and Chelidonium majus L. against cataracts according to the antioxidant properties of these plants in rats. Materials and methods: In this study, 30 neonate rats (8-10 days) were divided into five groups; group 1 (control group) received normal saline on day 10. In other four groups, subcutaneous injections of sodium selenite (30 µmol/Kg) were done to induce cataract on day 10. In group 2 no other intervention was done. Groups 3, 4 and 5 received IP injections of Phyllanthus emblica L., Acorus calamus L. and Chelidonium majus L. extracts (400 mg/kg), respectively on day 9-12. On day 17, morphological examination of rats’ lenses were performed and on day 30 the rats were anaesthetized and their lenses were removed. The contents of glutathione and malondialdehyde were measured in lens tissue. DPPH and flavonoid content tests were also done on plants’ extracts. Results: P. emblica, C.majus, and A.calamus had the highest amount of antioxidant compounds, glutathione level in lens tissue, reduction in cataract grade, and the highest eye protection compared to the sodium selenite group, respectively. Also, the content of malondialdehyde were the lowest in groups that received P.emblica, A.calamus, and C.majus compared to the control group. Conclusion: P. emblica has considerable protective effect on cataract in rats.