Poster Presenter

Anticataract Activity of Bauhinia variegata Bark Extract
Surendra H. Bodakhe and Alpana Ram
India

Bauhinia variegata is traditionally used in the eye diseases. In this investigation anticataract activity was determined using cataract formation in developing chick embryo by hydrocortisone. Lenses were evaluated firstly for extent of opacity and secondly, for lens glutathione (GSH) levels. Bauhinia variegata bark was collected, authenticated, air dried and extracted with ethanol in Soxhlet apparatus. Fourteen days old Australorp fertilized eggs were divided into different groups of six eggs each. After 24 hrs incubation in a humidified incubator (370C), at 15 days of age; hydrocortisone (0.25µM/0.2ml/egg) was administered to the chorioallantoic membrane of chick embryos through a small hole in the egg shell on the air sack. Ascorbic acid (standard) or B. variegata extract (test) were administered at 3, 10 and 20 hr after hydrocortisone administration at specified dose. The puncture was sealed with a cellophane tape and eggs were incubated for 48 hrs in a humidified incubator at 370C. After 48 hrs the lenses were isolated for the determination of the extent of opacity and Glutathione level. The extract prevented the opacification of the chick embryo lenses induced by hydrocortisone. The extract also prevented the decline of GSH content caused by hydrocortisone. The results indicate that B. variegata bark extract protect the cataract formation caused by hydrocortisone in chick embryos in concentration dependent manner.