Chemico-Biological Interactions 181 (2009) 202–209 Contents lists available at ScienceDirect Chemico-Biological Interactions journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/chembioint Anti-cataractogenic effect of curcumin and aminoguanidine against selenium-induced oxidative stress in the eye lens of Wistar rat pups: An in vitro study using isolated lens R. Manikandan a,b,∗ , R. Thiagarajan a,∗ , S. Beulaja a , S. Chindhu d , K. Mariammal e , G. Sudhandiran c , M. Arumugam a,∗ a Department of Zoology, University of Madras, Guindy Campus, Chennai 600025, India b Department of Animal Health and Management, Alagappa University, Karaikudi 630003, India c Department of Biochemistry, University of Madras, Guindy Campus, Chennai 600025, India d P.G Department of Biotechnology, Bishop Heber College, Trichy 620017, India e P.G Department of Biochemistry, V.V.V. College, Virudhunagar 626001, India article info Article history: Received 22 March 2009 Received in revised form 3 May 2009 Accepted 20 May 2009 Available online 27 May 2009 Keywords: Selenium Curcumin Free radicals Aminoguanidine Oxidative stress Cataract abstract The aim of this study was to investigate whether curcumin and aminoguanidine (AG) prevent selenium- induced cataractogenesis in vitro. On postpartum day 8, transparent isolated lens were incubated in 24 well plates containing Dulbecco’s Modified Eagle Medium (DMEM). Isolated lens of group I were incubated with DMEM medium alone. Group II: lenses incubated in DMEM containing 100 M sodium selenite; group III: lenses incubated in DMEM containing 100 M sodium selenite and 100 M curcumin; group IV: lenses incubated in DMEM containing 100 M sodium selenite and 200 M curcumin; group V: lenses incubated in DMEM containing 100 M sodium selenite and 100 M AG; group V: lenses incubated in DMEM containing 100 M sodium selenite and 200 M AG. On day 12, cataract development was graded using an inverted microscope and the lenses were analyzed for enzymic as well as non-enzymic antioxidants, lipid peroxidation (LPO), nitric oxide (NO), superoxide anion (O 2 - ) and hydroxyl radical generation (OH • ) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) activity by Western blotting and RT-PCR. All control lenses in group I were clear (0). In groups II and III, all isolated lenses developed cataract with variation in levels (+++ or ++), whereas isolated lenses from groups IV, V and VI were clear (0). In agreement to this, a decrease in antioxidants and increased free radical generation and also iNOS expression were observed in selenium exposed lenses when compared to other groups. AG (100 M) was found to be more effective in anti-cataractogenic effect than curcumin (200 M). Curcumin and AG suppressed selenium-induced oxidative stress and cataract formation in isolated lens from Wistar rat pups, possibly by inhibiting depletion of enzymic as well as non-enzymic antioxidants, and preventing uncontrolled generation of free radicals and also by inhibiting iNOS expression. Our results implicate a major role for curcumin and AG in preventing cataractogenesis in selenite-exposed lenses, wherein AG was found to be more potent. © 2009 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved. 1. Introduction The eye is a unique organ, being relatively unprotected as it is constantly exposed to atmospheric oxygen, environmental chemicals and physical abrasion [1]. In the eye, oxygen-derived free radicals have been implicated in diseases such as cataracts, ∗ Corresponding authors at: Department of Animal Health and Management, Alagappa University, Karaikudi 630003, India. E-mail addresses: manikandanramar@yahoo.co.in (R. Manikandan), thiagi200@yahoo.co.in (R. Thiagarajan), marumugam7@hotmail.com (M. Arumugam). uveitis, retrolental fibroplasia, age-related macular degeneration [2]. Hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ) is one of the well studied oxidant intermediate, present in both anterior and posterior segments of the eye. In the case of the anterior segment H 2 O 2 is present in the tissues of anterior uvea and in aqueous humor [3], and both enzymatic and non-enzymatic reactions are involved in H 2 O 2 neu- tralization. Catalase and glutathione peroxidase, constituting the major enzymatic defense, are found in iris and ciliary body. Aqueous humor though devoid of enzymatic anti-oxidants, is rich in ascor- bate that is involved in non-enzymatic neutralization of H 2 O 2 [4]. In any case, H 2 O 2 produces damage not only by initiating lipid per- oxidation but also by altering local signaling events [1]. Thus, free radicals are clearly involved in the pathophysiological changes in 0009-2797/$ – see front matter © 2009 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved. doi:10.1016/j.cbi.2009.05.011