IN VITRO BIOCHEMICAL ASSESSMENT OF ANTIOXIDANT POTENTIAL OF AN AYURVEDIC HERBAL EYE DROPS FOR DRY EYE SYNDROME

*N. Srikanth, Sharad D. Pawar, Arjun Singh, S. N. Murthy and R.R. Padmavar

ABSTRACT

Dry Eye Syndrome is a leading cause of ocular discomfort affecting millions of people. Dry Eye conditions are a spectrum of disorders with varied aetiology ranging from mild eyestrain to very severe dry eyes associated with visual complications. Dry eye is a condition produced by the inadequate interrelation between lachrymal film and ocular surface epithelium, and is caused by quantitative and qualitative deficits in one or both of them. Ocular surface conditions may result from the abnormalities in one or more of the tear film components, ocular or systemic diseases, various drugs and even environment factors. Oxidative stress is involved in many surface ocular diseases including dry eye syndrome (DES). The anterior eye segment and mainly the cornea are directly affected by the hazards from potential oxidative damage evoked by air pollution, radiation, chemicals as evident by proven role of oxidative stress in the pathogenesis surface ocular disease. Further certain scientific studies have demonstrated beneficial effects and protective role of topical and oral antioxidants in the management of surface lesions like dry eye disease. Along with measures such as tear preservation, use of tear stimulants, tear substitutes and control of infection, the advocacy of topical and oral antioxidant agents also forms an important component in the management of dry eye syndrome (DES). Owing to its importance, the biochemical assessment of antioxidant potential of the Ayurvedic herbal eye drops formulated for dry eye syndrome was performed. The plant based ingredients of the eye drop possess promising leads for their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory; anti-microbial potential. The study encompasses biochemical antioxidant assays viz. Nitric oxide radical scavenging assay, ABTS radical scavenging assay, DPPH radical scavenging assay and Ferric reducing antioxidant potential (FRAP) assay. These studies revealed significant antioxidant potential of herbal eye drops, possibly compliment to the management of dry eye syndrome and marinating the surface ocular health.

Keywords: antioxidant activity, Ayurvedic herbal eye drop, dry eye syndrome.