The Effect of Silybum marianum (L.) Gaertn. Seed Extract (Silymarin) on Galactose Induced Cataract Formation in Rats

Background: increased oxygen free radical and reduced glutathione level in the eyelens are important risk factor for cataract formation. the antioxidative property andincreasing cellular and extra cellular glutathione level have been reported by severalherbal medicines including silymarin.objective: in present interventional study silybum marianum l. seed extract(silymarin) was tested against galactose-induced cataract development in rats.methods: thirty male 45 days old wistar rats (150 – 200 g), were divided in threegroups of 10 rats each. cataract was induced in two groups of rats following feeding themwith 30% galactose diet for 40 days. one group kept as control and silymarin in the doseof 200 mg/kg/d was administered orally (mixed with galactose diet) to other group for 40days. cataract development in the rats lens was observed daily by ophthalmoscope andnaked eye during the study. the glutathione (gsh) and lipid peroxides (lpo) levels weredetermined after 20 days in all rats left eye lens.results: the results indicated that, in silymarin treated group all stage of cataractdevelopment were significantly delayed as compared to control group. in rats treatedwith silymarin the lens gsh level was increased significantly (p<0.01) and lpo levelswas decreased significantly as compared to control group (p<0.05).conclusion: administration of silymarin to galactose fed rats showed beneficial effecton prevention of cataract development as well as antioxidative defence system such asincrease in lens gsh and decrease lpo levels.