Phloretin delays the progression of diabetic cataract by inhibiting lens aldose reductase enzyme and oxidative damage: In vitro and ex vivo experimental approaches

Aim and objectives: Flavonoids are the most important phyto-biomolecules used in a variety of diseases as an alternative pharmacotherapy, including diabetic cataract. The present study is designed to explore the anticataract activity of phloretin by evaluating aldose reductase inhibitory activity and antioxidant activity against ex vivo experimental models in goat lenses. Methodology: For the induction of diabetogenic cataract glucose-induced model was used. In this model, goat lenses were incubated in high concentrations of glucose (55 mM) containing physiological salt solution and phloretin (50, 100, and 200 µg/mL), which was assessed against cataract control lenses. Results and Disccusion: The results showed that phloretin (100 µg/mL) considerably inhibits the DPPH free radical and lens aldose reductase activity. The results of the ex-vivo model showed that phloretin retains lens transparency and reduces cataract maturation. Moreover, the phloretin exposure significantly (P < 0.05) increased the antioxidant activity (CAT, SOD, and GSH) and reduced the malonaldehyde level. Additionally, phloretin exposure significantly (P < 0.05) restored the lens protein content. Conclusion: The results concluded that phloretin showed promising anticataract activity by inhibiting lens aldose reductase and oxidative stress