Search

Purpose: To evaluate whether a methanolic extract of Ocimum basilicum (OB) leaves prevented lenticular protein alterations in an in-vitro model of selenite-induced cataractogenesis. Materials and Methods: Transparent lenses extirpated from Wistar rats were divided into three groups: control; selenite only; treated. Control lenses were cultured in Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium (DMEM) alone, selenite only lenses were cultured in DMEM containing sodium selenite only (100 µM selenite/ml DMEM) and treated lenses were cultured in DMEM containing sodium selenite and the methanolic extract of OB leaves (200 µg of extract/ml DMEM); all lenses were cultured for 24 h and then processed. The parameters assessed in lenticular homogenates were lenticular protein sulfhydryl and carbonyl content, calcium level, insoluble to soluble protein ratio, sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoretic (SDS-PAGE) patterns of lenticular proteins, and mRNA transcript and protein levels of αA-crystallin and βB1-crystallins. Results: Selenite only lenses exhibited alterations in all parameters assessed. Treated lenses exhibited values for these parameters that were comparable to those noted in normal control lenses. Conclusions: The methanolic extract of OB leaves prevented alterations in lenticular protein sulfhydryl and carbonyl content, calcium level, insoluble to soluble protein ratio, SDS-PAGE patterns of lenticular proteins, and expression of αA-crystallin and βB1-crystallin gene and proteins in cultured selenite-challenged lenses. OB may be further evaluated as a promising agent for the prevention of cataract. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: An extract (Methanolic) of the Ocimum basilicum leaf was analysed for potential to abrogate experimental formation of cataract in-vitro. Methods: Phytoconstituents were first detected in O. basilicum extracts (Aqueous or methanolic) by gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric analysis. The putative antioxidant activity of these extracts was then assessed by measuring in-vitro radical-scavenging activity, ion-chelating potential and reducing potency. Potential cytotoxicity of the extract on Human lenticular epithelial B3 (HLE-B3) cells was also sought. Finally, possible prevention of cataract formation by the methanolic extract was gauged in selenite-exposed lenses obtained from Wistar rats. There were 3 groups (8 Lenses in each): Group I (Lenses incubated in Dulbecco’s modified Eagle’s medium [DMEM] alone); Group II (Lenses incubated in DMEM with sodium selenite [100 μM/ml]); Group III (Lenses incubated in DMEM with selenite [100 μM/ml] and the O. basilicum methanolic extract (200 μg/ml DMEM). Gross lenticular morphology was assessed. Levels of lenticular malondialdehyde (MDA) and reduced glutathione (GSH) were also measured. Results: A higher intensity of antioxidative activity was noted in the methanolic extract than in the aqueous extract. The methanolic extract exhibited negligible cytotoxicity. On morphological examination, marked opacification was seen in all 8 Group II lenses whereas there was no opacification in 7 of 8 Group III lenses. Near normal mean levels of reduced glutathione and malondialdehyde, were noted within Group III lenses. Conclusion: The methanolic extract of the O. basilicum leaf appears to prevent selenite-induced cataract formation in-vitro. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]