Effect of silymarin in treatment of experimentally induced cataract in rabbit

In cataract, less light passes through the lens as a result of blurring of the lens. The ability of lens adaptation reduces with time. As a result, the sensitivity of subtraction will go away. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of silymarin in treatment of cataract in rabbits. For this purpose, 12 rabbits were kept for two weeks prior to injection for assuring of being clinically healthy and their eyes were examined for being free of cataract and other disorders by means of ophthalmoscopy, slit lamp biomicroscopy and ultrasonography. Rapid cataract was induced by subcutaneous injection of 1 mg/kg BW of sodium selenite and repeated two more times with 2 days interval (3 mg/kg BW totally). All rabbits were examined by ophthalmoscopy and B-mode ultrasonography daily and slit lamp biomicroscopy with three days interval until cataract was developed at day 9. At this time, Linear Cortical and posterior subscapular cataract were observed in all rabbits. Rabbits were divided in experimental group that received 140 mg/kg BW of silymarin and control group without silymarin treatment at this day. Rabbits in both groups were examined by ophtalmoscopy and B-mode ultrasonography daily and slit lamp biomicroscopy with three days interval up to day 22. four rabbits of each group were euthanized at day 23 for histological examination of the lenses. Reduction in progression of cataract in silymarin treated rabbits were confirmed by slit lamp biomicroscopy and histology. B-mode ultrasonography was unable to show effect of silymarin in reduction of progression of cataract.