In vitro antioxidant and ex vivo anti-cataract activity of ethanolic extract of Cineraria maritima: a traditional plant from Nilgiri hills

Sumit Durgapal,Anurag Verma,Vijay Juyal

doi:10.1186/s43094-021-00258-8

Abstract

BackgroundCineraria maritima has a long history of use in the treatment of cataract and other eye-related problems in the homeopathic system of medicines. High oxidative stress is one of the major underlying causes of cataract which results in the precipitation of natural protein present in the lenses with aging. This research has been carried out to determine the anti-cataract activity of C. maritima by performing various antioxidant techniques such as 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl, nitric oxide, hydrogen peroxide, and studies in oxidative stress–induced ex vivo cataract model.ResultsResults of the study conducted in the ethanolic extract of aerial parts (leaves and stems) of C. maritima revealed the presence of various phytoconstituents such as alkaloids, phenols, flavonoids, etc. Total phenol and total flavonoid content was found to be 6.31 ± 0.06 % w/w and 2.14 ± 0.09% w/w respectively, which revealed that the plant contains a good amount of these compounds and hence possesses good antioxidant activity. Furthermore, IC50 values obtained from all the methods gave strong evidence regarding the antioxidant potential of this plant. Anti-cataract activity was also investigated using goat eye lenses and promising results were obtained which speak voluminously about its anti-cataract potential and support its well-prescribed use.ConclusionResults obtained with this study clearly supported the significant antioxidant potential and anti-cataract activity of this plant. Further, this plant demands great attention for the development of suitable novel dosage forms for the effective treatment of cataract.

Highlights

Cineraria maritima has a long history of use in the treatment of cataract and other eye-related problems in the homeopathic system of medicines
In this study, the ethanolic extract of the plant C. maritima was used for the determination of total phenol content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), antioxidant activity, and ex vivo anti-cataract activity using goat eye lenses to know its potential for the effective treatment of cataract
The anti-cataract activity of this plant is due to the presence of antioxidants such as phenols and flavonoids which help in combating oxidative stress which is the underlying cause of cataractogenesis in most of the cases

Summary

Introduction

Cineraria maritima has a long history of use in the treatment of cataract and other eye-related problems in the homeopathic system of medicines. S. cineraria DC) has been used for the treatment of cataract and other severe eye-related conditions like conjunctivitis, opacity, and corneal clouding in the homeopathic system since time immemorial It is an annual exotic medicinal shrub, which belongs to the Asteraceae family. Research studies showed that this plant possesses significant antioxidant potential which might be the possible reason for its anti-cataract effect [18]. Considerable effect of plant extract in the concentration of protein and ions such as sodium and potassium which are essential for the transparency of the lenses were estimated These studies may act as a stepping stone for the development of better delivery systems of this potential candidate as compared to its presently available eye drops. To know the influence of this plant in lens protein and vital lens elements such as potassium and others, biochemical testing studies were done in goat eye lenses [18]

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