Abstract

CYAMOPSIS TETRAGONOLOBUS AND CYPERUS ROTUNDUS PREVENTS OXIDATIVE STRESS IN DIABETIC CATARACT INDUCED WISTAR ALBINO RATS

Vijayalakshmi Krishnamoorthy* and Seema Surendran

ABSTRACT

The present study was conducted to evaluate the effect of ethanolic extracts of Cyamopsis tetragonolobus pods and Cyperus rotundus rhizomes on the oxidative stress parameters of diabetic cataract induced Wistar albino rats. The experimental rats were grouped into 4: Group I – Normal controls, Group II – Diabetic cataract induced animals (streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats which developed cataract), Group III – Cyamopsis tetragonolobus extract co-treated animals and Group IV – Cyperus rotundus extract co-treated animals (animals were treated for 19 weeks with each of the plant extract after streptozotocin induction). Animals with diabetic cataract showed elevated levels of lipid peroxides and conjugated dienes, while Cyamopsis tetragonolobus and Cyperus rotundus co-treated groups showed lower levels. Enzymatic antioxidant (superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase) levels decreased in rats with diabetic cataract while both the plant co-treated animals showed increased enzymatic antioxidant levels. Similarly, levels of non-enzymatic antioxidants such as reduced glutathione, vitamin C and vitamin E decreased in diabetic cataract rats, while both the plant treated animals showed increased levels. The above results thus, signify the antioxidative potential of both Cyamopsis tetragonolobus and Cyperus rotundus.

Keywords: Diabetic cataract, Cyperus rotundus, Cyamopsis tetragonolobus, Oxidative stress, Antioxidant