Biological Activities of Passion Fruit (Passiflora edulis) in Impediment of Alloxan Induced Cataract in Rats

Background: Symptoms of diabetes affect vision, and high levels of blood glucose draw fluid from tissues, including the lenses of the eyes. The aim of this study is the effect of the protective effect of passion fruits on the chemical and biological properties on oxidative stress, the blood sugar level, insulin sensitivity, HOMA-index , lipid profile and cataract formation in alloxan-induced diabetic rats.
Methods: 28 male rats were randomly divided into 4 groups of 7 rats each and one of them was kept as a negative (-ve) control group, positive control (+ve): with alloxan (120 mg/kg body weight) group and fed on basal diet. Treated groups (3&4) fed on basal diet and given orally 2 and 4 ml concentrated passion fruits juice/ day, respectively.
Results: The results of the analysis of phenolic compounds showed the highest amount of passion fruits are rutin, trans-cinammic and p-coumaric acids. The biological evaluation after 8 weeks, the animals treated with passion fruits juice showed a significant decrease in the level of blood glucose, insulin, BMI, HOMA-index of triacylglycerols, total cholesterol, LDL-C, VLDL-C and lipid peroxidation in blood and lens, and a significant decrease in the concentration of lens Fas ligand, compared with positive control (+ve). Also, the treated groups showed significant increase in the level of HDL-C, reduced glutathione and the activity of superoxide dismutase and significant decrease in the levels of nitric oxide concentration