A Thesis on Anti-cataract Medicine: Pharmacological Evaluation of The Anti-Cataractogenic Activity of Herbal Standardized Ocular

Cataract, called in Sanskrit as linganaasha or timira, is one of the leading causes for blindness today and remains one of the most important ocular complications around the globe. Cataract is the opacification (light impenetrability) of the lens. In this condition, the lens of the eyes interferes with the eye vision. Since light cannot enter the opaque lens, therefore the eyes fail to give the representation of the objects seen. The only available managing intervention for cataract is, surgery. But due to number of barriers in cataract surgery like high cost, poor visual improvement, lack of availability of qualified ophthalmic surgeons, etc. leads to scientists around the world to focus on evaluation of therapeutic intercessions against the cataract. It is apparent that it will not be possible to eliminate the overall blindness caused by cataract by uplifting the barriers in cataract surgery as cataract is a multifactorial disease and there are too many people presenting with maturity-onset, like UV-induced cataract. In the eye, it is believed that UV photochemical damage occurring in the crystalline lens can persist for a long time, causing temporary or permanent impairment of vision. The specific targets and the detailed mechanisms that are responsible for UV-induced cataracts remain to be determined. The large and growing number of people blind with UV-induced cataract and the significant complication rate has motivated a search for pharmacological treatment of cataracts. The considerable discomfort experienced by patients as their vision diminishes and the complete loss of accommodation resulting from the removal of the lens should also be recognised. Besides the risk of complications, an artificial lens does not have the overall optical qualities of a normal lens. Numerous studies postulate that oxidative stress to the lens mediated by reactive oxygen species and lipid peroxides produced in the crystalline lens can initiate the process of cataractogenesis. Saraca indica also known as Saraca asoca, is one of the sacred trees of India. In the previous studies conducted, it was proved that the ethyl acetate fraction of Saraca asoca (EASA) is effective both in-vitro as well as in-vivo in lowering the reactive oxygen species and oxidative stress, thereby preventing cataract formation. It was also shown to have aldose reductase inhibitory potential and can be effective in diabetes induced cataract. Hence, Saraca Asoca was chosen for the present study. Read more