Role of Morinda citrifolia on oxidative stress induced cataract formation

Sudhakar Konada; Satyanarayana Rentala; SarvaMangala Dhurjeti; USN Murthy

Volume : III, Issue : VIII, August - 2014

Role of Morinda citrifolia on oxidative stress induced cataract formation

Sudhakar Konada, Satyanarayana Rentala, Sarvamangala Dhurjeti, Usn Murthy

Abstract :

This review examines the hypothesis that oxidative stress is an initiating factor for the development of cataract and describes the events leading to lens opacification. H2O2 at high concentrations found in cataract stage can cause lens opacification and produces a pattern of oxidation similar to that found in cataract. It is concluded that H2O2 is the major oxidant involved in cataract formation. This viewpoint is further supported by experiments showing that cataract formation in organ culture caused by superoxide radical, H2O2, and hydroxyl radical is completely prevented by the addition of Morinda citrifolia juice because of its phytochemical constituents mainly flavonoids having anti-oxidant activity.