Protective effect of plumbagin ophthalmic suspension on diabetic cataract via restoration of lenticular oxidative stress and protein modification in STZ-Induced rats

Apurva Yadav; Rajesh Choudhary; Anshul Ram; Umashankar Nirmalkar; Jaya Shree; Swarnali Das Paul

doi:10.5455/JRCM.20251118123946

J Res Comp Med. 2026; 3(1): 1-8

doi: 10.5455/JRCM.20251118123946

Protective effect of plumbagin ophthalmic suspension on diabetic cataract via restoration of lenticular oxidative stress and protein modification in STZ-Induced rats

Apurva Yadav, Rajesh Choudhary, Anshul Ram, Umashankar Nirmalkar, Jaya Shree, Swarnali Das Paul.

Abstract
Backgrounds: Diabetic cataract is an ocular complication of diabetes mellitus characterized by lens opacification. Previous studies demonstrate the beneficial effects of plumbagin against ex vivo and in vivo models. In extension, the present study was designed to assess the protective action of plumbagin ophthalmic suspension against the in vivo streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic cataract rat model.
Methods: The diabetic cataract was induced by a single intraperitoneal dose of STZ (60 mg/kg) to the Wistar albino rats (150-180 g, 15-18 weeks old). Animals were divided into four groups (n=6 animals in each group): Normal Control, Diabetic Cataract Control (placebo), and two treatment groups receiving topical plumbagin ophthalmic suspension at 0.01% w/v (Plg T1) and 0.05% w/v (Plg T2) twice daily (10:00 am and 5:00 pm) for 10 weeks. After completion of the protocol, cataract maturation was monitored via lens opacity scoring. Biochemical assessments of isolated lenses included oxidative stress markers and protein solubility profiles.
Results: Topical administration of plumbagin considerably prevents the progression of cataract maturation and maintains the lens transparency compared to the diabetic cataract control group. The results demonstrated that topical administration of plumbagin significantly (p < 0.05) elevated the lens antioxidant levels, such as catalase, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione, and reduced the lens malondialdehyde and nitrite content compared to the STZ control group. Moreover, plumbagin treatments significantly (p < 0.05) restored the lens protein content compared to the diabetic cataract control group.
Conclusion: Topical application of plumbagin effectively delays the progression of diabetic cataract in STZ-induced rats. The mechanism involves the mitigation of lenticular oxidative stress and the preservation of water-soluble crystallin proteins, suggesting plumbagin as a promising non-surgical therapeutic candidate for diabetic ocular complications.

Key words: Plumbagin; Anticataract activity; Diabetic cataract; Antioxidant activity

	ARTICLE TOOLS
	Abstract
	PDF Fulltext
	How to cite this article
	Citation Tools
	Related Records
	Articles by Apurva Yadav Articles by Rajesh Choudhary Articles by Anshul Ram Articles by Umashankar Nirmalkar Articles by Jaya Shree Articles by Swarnali Das Paul
	on Google
	on Google Scholar

How to Cite this Article

Pubmed Style

Yadav A, Choudhary R, Ram A, Nirmalkar U, Shree J, Paul SD. Protective effect of plumbagin ophthalmic suspension on diabetic cataract via restoration of lenticular oxidative stress and protein modification in STZ-Induced rats. Eur J Med Aromat Plants. 2026; 3(1): 1-8. doi:10.5455/JRCM.20251118123946

Web Style

Yadav A, Choudhary R, Ram A, Nirmalkar U, Shree J, Paul SD. Protective effect of plumbagin ophthalmic suspension on diabetic cataract via restoration of lenticular oxidative stress and protein modification in STZ-Induced rats. https://www.wisdomgale.com/ejmap/?mno=297654 [Access: June 28, 2026]. doi:10.5455/JRCM.20251118123946

AMA (American Medical Association) Style

Yadav A, Choudhary R, Ram A, Nirmalkar U, Shree J, Paul SD. Protective effect of plumbagin ophthalmic suspension on diabetic cataract via restoration of lenticular oxidative stress and protein modification in STZ-Induced rats. Eur J Med Aromat Plants. 2026; 3(1): 1-8. doi:10.5455/JRCM.20251118123946

Vancouver/ICMJE Style

Yadav A, Choudhary R, Ram A, Nirmalkar U, Shree J, Paul SD. Protective effect of plumbagin ophthalmic suspension on diabetic cataract via restoration of lenticular oxidative stress and protein modification in STZ-Induced rats. Eur J Med Aromat Plants. (2026), [cited June 28, 2026]; 3(1): 1-8. doi:10.5455/JRCM.20251118123946

Harvard Style

Yadav, A., Choudhary, . R., Ram, . A., Nirmalkar, . U., Shree, . J. & Paul, . S. D. (2026) Protective effect of plumbagin ophthalmic suspension on diabetic cataract via restoration of lenticular oxidative stress and protein modification in STZ-Induced rats. Eur J Med Aromat Plants, 3 (1), 1-8. doi:10.5455/JRCM.20251118123946

Turabian Style

Yadav, Apurva, Rajesh Choudhary, Anshul Ram, Umashankar Nirmalkar, Jaya Shree, and Swarnali Das Paul. 2026. Protective effect of plumbagin ophthalmic suspension on diabetic cataract via restoration of lenticular oxidative stress and protein modification in STZ-Induced rats. European Journal of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, 3 (1), 1-8. doi:10.5455/JRCM.20251118123946

Chicago Style

Yadav, Apurva, Rajesh Choudhary, Anshul Ram, Umashankar Nirmalkar, Jaya Shree, and Swarnali Das Paul. "Protective effect of plumbagin ophthalmic suspension on diabetic cataract via restoration of lenticular oxidative stress and protein modification in STZ-Induced rats." European Journal of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants 3 (2026), 1-8. doi:10.5455/JRCM.20251118123946

MLA (The Modern Language Association) Style

Yadav, Apurva, Rajesh Choudhary, Anshul Ram, Umashankar Nirmalkar, Jaya Shree, and Swarnali Das Paul. "Protective effect of plumbagin ophthalmic suspension on diabetic cataract via restoration of lenticular oxidative stress and protein modification in STZ-Induced rats." European Journal of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants 3.1 (2026), 1-8. Print. doi:10.5455/JRCM.20251118123946

APA (American Psychological Association) Style

Yadav, A., Choudhary, . R., Ram, . A., Nirmalkar, . U., Shree, . J. & Paul, . S. D. (2026) Protective effect of plumbagin ophthalmic suspension on diabetic cataract via restoration of lenticular oxidative stress and protein modification in STZ-Induced rats. European Journal of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, 3 (1), 1-8. doi:10.5455/JRCM.20251118123946