Potential prophylactic effect of Naringenin loaded liposome eye drops on streptozotocin-induced diabetic cataract in rats

Diabetes may lead to oxidative stress-related ocular complications including cataract. Thus, the aid of antioxidant therapy versus oxidative stress development is necessary to reduce cataract progression. Flavonoid Naringenin is a well- recognized natural antioxidant. Liposomes are appropriate nano-carriers for ocular drug delivery. Hence, we aimed to prepare and assess the potential of Naringenin loaded liposome (NLL) as topical ocular drug to ameliorate streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic cataract. NLL was formulated by thin lipid film method (0.241 mg/ml); its characterization was confirmed by Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM) imaging, zeta potential and Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) measurements. 60 male Wistar rats have been distributed into three groups (control, (STZ) induced diabetic cataract and Naringenin treated). NLL was administered as eye drops (in treated group) twice a day for 12 weeks. Slit-lamp photography and lens inspection were conducted, FBS was detected. In the lens tissue reduced glutathione (GSH), total soluble lens protein (TSP), carbonyl protein (CP), interleukin- 6 (IL-6), Caspase-3 and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) were measured. TEM imaging, particle size, zeta potential and DSC results exhibited an effective NLL preparation. NLL exhibited antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antiapoptotic efficacy in all parameters associated with oxidative stress in the lens tissue of type 1 diabetic rats. Finally, the findings disclosed that NLL could be recommended as a potential prophylactic agent in diabetic cataract.