Effect of Euphorbia hirta in Napthalene Induced Cataract in Rats

Euphorbia is a genus of plants belonging to the family Euphorbiaceae. Euphorbia hirta is a very popular herb amongst practitioners of traditional herb medicine. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the effect of ethanolic extract of Euphorbia hirta aerial parts in naphthalene induced cataract in rats. Euphorbia hirta aerial extract at dose levels (200 and 400 mg/kg), and Vitamin E (50mg/kg) were used as standard drugs, while liquid paraffin was used for control. The test drugs were administered for 25 days. Naphthalene (0.5 g/kg for first 3 days and 1g/kg thereafter for a period of 25 days) was used to induce cataract. Ophthalmoscope was used to examine the percentage of cataract incidence and opacity index. Naphthalene produced a significant mature cataract and an increase in the opacity index at various stages. Euphorbia hirta extract decrease the onset and maturation of cataract against naphthalene challenge in rats. From the results it was concluded that the Euphorbia hirta aerial extract showed anti-cataract activity against naphthalene induced cataract in rats.