Prevention of D-galactose-induced cataract in rats by Epibueropyridinium A extracted from Scrophularia ningpoensis

Objective:To investigate the effect of Epibueropyridinium A(EA),extracted from Scrophularia ningpoensis,in prevention of D-galactose-induced cataract in rats.Methods: SD rats were randomly divided into 5 groups (n=10),namely,the normal control,cataract model,20 mg/kg EA,10 mg/kg EA,and positive control groups.The cataract model was induced by intraabdominal administration of D-galactose into rats.Rats of the 2 EA groups received corresponding amount of EA and those in the positive control group received epalrestat(10 mg/kg) or VitE(30 mg/kg).The changes of the lens were examined with slit lamp microscope at defined time points.The activities of superoxide dismutase(SOD) and the content of malonaldehyde(MDA) and sorbitol were determined in the lens 3 and 6 weeks later.Results: EA obviously improved the lens opacification in the 2 EA groups compared to cataract model group,and the improvement in high EA group was more obvious than that in the low EA group(P0.01).The activities of SOD raised from(32.1±11.2) Nu·mg~(-1) in cataract model group to(65.9±16.7) Nu·mg~(-1) in low EA group and(83.2±15.6) Nu·mg~(-1) in high EA group(P0.01).The content of MDA reduced from(26.72±5.36) nmol·mg~(-1) to(18.34±4.29) nmol·mg~(-1) in low EA group and(15.66±5.47) nmol·mg~(-1) in high EA group(P0.01).The content of sorbitol in lens reduced from(24.33±2.57) μmol·g~(-1) to(15.46±2.07) μmol·g~(-1) in the low EA group and(11.45±1.39) μmol·g~(-1) in the high EA group after 3 weeks(P0.01);and after 6 weeks,it reduced from((20.04±1.59) μmol·g~(-1))to(15.82±1.42) μmol·g~(-1) and(13.22±1.37) μmol·g~(-1),respectively(P0.05 or 0.01).(Conclusion:) Epibueropyridinium A has preventive effect on development of sugar cataract in experimental models.