CHARD (BETA VULGARIS L. VAR CICLA) EXTRACT INHIBITS POLYOL PATHWAY AND HYPERGLYCAEMIA-INDUCED OXIDATIVE STRESS IN RAT LENS

In this study, the protective effect of chard extract on the lens of rats with hyperglycaemia was investigated. Rats were randomly divided into five groups. Control, Streptozotocin (STZ) - hyperglycaemic animals, STZ - induced hyperglycaemic animals given chard extract (2 g/kg bw/day), STZ - induced hyperglycaemic animals given insulin (6 U/kg bw/day), STZ induced hyperglycaemic animals given chard extract and insulin. Hyperglycaemia was induced by i.p. injection of STZ in a single dose of 60 mg/kg body weight. Fourteen days after hyperglycaemia induction, chard extract, insulin, and chard + insulin were administered for 45 days, to the respective groups. In the lens tissues of the hyperglycaemic group, lipid peroxidation levels, the activities of aldose reductase, sorbitol dehydrogenase, and antioxidant enzymes increased, while glutathione levels decreased. Chard, insulin and chard + insulin combination reversed the eye abnormalities of the hyperglycaemic animals. As a result, it can be suggested that chard extract has a protective effect against lens damage due to diabetes.