Table 2.

Vitamins, antioxidants and herbal drugs for the prevention and treatment of cataract

Supplement	Mechanism of action
Vitamin C[62,64]	Preserves glutathione levels; protects the Na+/K+pump.
Riboflavin[69]	Precursor to FAD, a coenzyme for glutathione reductase which recycles glutathione
Vitamin E[90]	Antioxidant; increases glutathione; supplementation associated with prevention
Glutathione[56]	Deficiency noted in cataractous lenses; important component of the innate antioxidant system in the lens
Carotenes[76]	Antioxidant; higher levels associated with decreased risk for cataract
Lycopene[77]	Major carotenoid; possesses potential antioxidative property; reduces the risk associated with osmotic stress
Curcumin[78,79]	Antioxidant; reduces apoptosis in sugar cataract; inhibits the enzyme AR in polyol pathway
Stobadine[84]	A novel synthetic pyridoindole, an antioxidant, effective against diabetic cataract
Ocimum sanctum[85]	Restores the antioxidant defense system; inhibits lens protein degradation
Emilia sonchifolia[88]	Acts as an antioxidant and inhibits the lipid peroxidation reaction
Emblica officinalis[95]	Potent inhibitors of AR; reduces the osmotic stress
Dregea volubilis[89]	Preserves the antioxidant mechanisms and lower the level of lipid peroxidation
Vaccinium myritillus[34]	Potent antioxidant
Ginkgo biloba[91]	Antioxidant that protects the lens from various oxidative damage
Camellia sinensis (green tea)[92]	Inhibits oxidative stress by balancing the antioxidant defense mechanisms
Pterocarpus marsupium[86]	Prevents diabetic cataract by reduces the risk associated with osmotic stress
Trigonella foenum-graceum[86]	Prevents diabetic cataract by reduceing the risk associated with osmotic stress
Grape seed[87]	Increases glutathione level; reduces the lipid peroxidation