Abstract
OBJECTIVES: The aim of the present work was to evaluate the in vitro effect of Pleurotus florida extract cataract induced by glucose. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Goat eye lenses were divided into four groups. Group I lenses were incubated in artificial aqueous humor with glucose concentration 5.5 mM (normal control). Group II lenses were incubated with glucose concentration 55 mM (toxic control). Group III and IV lenses incubated with glucose concentration 55 mM were incubated along with hydroethanolic extract of P. florida 250 μg/ml and 500 μg/ml and subjected to morphological and biochemical evaluation. RESULTS: Group II lenses showed high amount of malondialdehyde (MDA) soluble and insoluble protein and decreased catalase and glutathione levels, while lenses treated with P. florida extract showed significant (P < 0.05) reduction in MDA, increased level of catalase (P < 0.001), glutathione (P < 0.005) and total and soluble protein. CONCLUSIONS: Hydroethanolic extract of P. florida showed prevention of in vitro glucose induced cataract. Thus, the goat lens model could be used for testing of various anticataract agents.