Prevention of selenite-induced cataractogenesis by hydroalchoholic extract of Echium amoenum: An experimental evaluation of the Iranian traditional eye medication

Echium amoenum is an Iranian indigenous medicinal plant. In this research the effect of hydroalchoholic extract of this plant on sodium-selenite induced cataract formation was evaluated. Fifty five white rat pups were selected and divided into six groups. In first group (control ۱) no elements injected. Second group (control ۲) was received normal saline on ۱۱-۱۸ postpartum. Hydroalchoholic extract of Echium amoenum flower (۴۰۰ mg/kg/day) intraperitonealy was injected into third group. Rats in group ۴th received sodium selenite (۳۰ nmol/kg) on day ۱۳ postpartum. In group ۵th, the extract was injected ۲ days before selenite injection (once a day for two days). And in last group one day before selenite injection, the rats received a single dose of the extract. Cataract development was measured by slit- lamp. Lens opacification was analyzed in each group on day ۷ after selenite administration. All lens in control and ۳th groups were clear. However, it was found different type of cataract grades formation in selenite group (۲.۲ ± ۰.۸۳). Cataract grades were ۰.۴ ± ۰.۵ and ۰.۶ ± ۰.۵ in groups ۵th and ۶th respectively. Echium amoenum extract significantly was shown a protective effect on selenite-induced cataract in rat. This effect is probably associated with antioxidant activity of this medicinal plant.

Keywords:

Experimental cataract , Echium amoenum , selenite-induced