ubiquinone and Cataract

Cataract is the principal cause of blindness. The enzyme, aldose reductase (AR) is a key player in polyol pathway. Buildup of polyols and oxidative stress are the main causes of cataractogenesis. This study investigated the cytoprotective properties of esculetin and idebenone in galactose-induced cataract. Rats were partitioned into four groups each of ten rats. Control group was fed with normal diet; group 2 rats were fed with galactose diet (50%); groups 3, 4 rats were fed with galactose diet concurrently with either esculetin (50 mg/kg BW) or idebenone (100 mg/kg BW), for 20 days. The study revealed that esculetin and idebenone significantly reduced the elevated levels of Bax/Bcl-2 ratio, malondialdehyde, and DNA fragmentation and increased total antioxidant capacity level in lenses compared to the cataract-induced group. Only esculetin decreased AR, galactitol, and advanced glycated end products levels in lenses. Histopathological examinations supported the biochemical findings. Esculetin and idebenone may have chemopreventive effects for sugar cataract. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Cataract is an age-related disease that might cause blindness in older adult people. Presently, no absolute pharmacological treatment is accessible for cataract. The use of natural products or their derivatives attract particular attention in modern medicines as they are believed to be safer with few or no side effects. Esculetin is a polyphenolic compound found in many medicinal plants. Idebenone is a synthetic analogue of coenzyme Q10. The current study is an approach to explore the anticataract effects of esculetin and idebenone in galactose-induced cataract in rats. Our study proved that both agents have anticataractogenic potentials due to their antioxidant and antiapoptotic properties.

Topics: Animals; Cataract; Galactose; Glutathione; Rats; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Ubiquinone; Umbelliferones

The effects of the molecular weight (MW) and concentration of trimethyl chitosan (TMC) on the characteristics of Coenzyme Q10-loaded liposomes coated with trimethyl chitosan were investigated while the efficacy of the antioxidant Coenzyme Q10 in delaying selenite-induced cataract was assessed. The existence of a thick polymer layer on the surface of the liposomes nanoparticle system was affirmed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analysis and the changes in particle size distribution and zeta potential. The entrapment efficiency was almost the same as when the polymer was added to liposomes.The Draize test and histological analysis demonstrated the excellent ocular tolerance of TMC for topical administration. Gamma scintigraphic data clearly showed that the drug elimination of polymer-coated liposomes is significantly slower than the radiolabelled solution used as a control. An almost 4.8-fold increase in the precorneal residence time was achieved in the presence of TMC with a higher Mw compared with the control group. Furthermore, the anti-cataract effect was evaluated by morphological examination and analysis of biochemical changes. Coenzyme Q10 exhibited a markedly anti-cataract effect with the percentage of lens opacity being about 53% at the final examination. The mean activities of superoxide dismutase and reduced glutathione were significantly higher in the Coenzyme Q10-treated group than in the cataract model group, while malondialdehyde was significantly lower. In conclusion,the physical properties and precorneal retention time of liposomes could be modified with TMC and ophthalmic instillation of Coenzyme Q10 is able to retard selenite-induced cataract formation.

Topics: Administration, Topical; Animals; Cataract; Chitosan; Cornea; Drug Delivery Systems; Liposomes; Rabbits; Rats; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Ubiquinone

Topics: Acid Phosphatase; Animals; Cataract; Epithelial Cells; Epithelium; Female; Histocytochemistry; Lens, Crystalline; Rabbits; Radiation Injuries, Experimental; Time Factors; Ubiquinone