In Vitro Pharmacological Evaluation of Prunetine for the Management of Cataract

Cataracts, characterized by lens opacity and vision impairment, remain a leading cause of blindness globally. Oxidative stress plays a major role in cataractogenesis, with antioxidants offering therapeutic potential. This study investigates the anti-cataract efficacy of prunetine in a glucose-induced in vitro cataract model using goat lenses. Various concentrations of Prunetine were evaluated against standard treatment (ascorbic acid), with assessments on lens opacity, enzymatic antioxidant activity, lipid peroxidation, and protein content. The findings suggest Prunetine significantly inhibits cataract formation, restores biochemical parameters, and may delay cataract progression. Lenses exposed to high glucose showed significant opacification, decreased antioxidant enzymes (CAT, SOD, GSH), elevated MDA levels, and abnormal protein aggregation. Treatment with Prunetine significantly reduced opacity and restored antioxidant enzymatic activity. The 100 µg/ml dose of Prunetine was most effective, restoring lens biochemistry near or above normal levels and preventing protein aggregation more efficiently than ascorbic acid. Prunetine demonstrated potent anti-cataract effects by mitigating oxidative damage and preserving lens protein integrity. The findings underscore its potential as a non-surgical pharmacologic intervention for cataract prevention, warranting further in vivo and clinical evaluation. Keywords - Oxidative stress, Cataractogenesis, lipid peroxidation, Cataracts, antioxidant