Moringa fights cataract development

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, India

A flavonoid-rich extract of Moringa oleifera leaves (FMO) protects against the development of cataract, according to a new study (J Ocul Pharmacol Ther. ePub 29 Sept 2010. DOI: 10.1089/jop.2010.0049). Researchers from the University of Kerala used Sprague-Dawley rat pups, which were grouped as control, selenite-induced and FMO-treated. Rat pups in the active groups received a single subcutaneous injection of sodium selenite on day 10; the FMO animals received 2.5 mcg/g body weight of the flavonoid extract from days 8 to 15. The development of cataract was assessed on day 16, and the eye lenses analyzed for the activity of antioxidant enzymes, reactive oxygen species (ROS) and lipid peroxidation.

The researchers reported the total phenolic content of FMO was 4.4 mg of catechin equivalent per gram of dried plant material. In vitro work showed the extract had strong activity in scavenging assays. In the animals, FMO prevented oxidative damage and morphological changes to the lens, preventing generation of cataract; it also maintained the activities of antioxidant enzymes and prevented the generation of ROS and lipid peroxidation.