The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : Aswagandha found to retard cataract formation

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Sep 13, 2004

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

Aswagandha found to retard cataract formation

By Y. Mallikarjun

HYDERABAD, SEPT. 12. In an interesting finding, the anti-oxidative properties of Ashwagandha (extract of plant withania somnifera) were observed to have the ability to retard cataract formation.

Long-term studies carried out by the Brien Holden Eye Research Centre of the LV Prasad Eye Institute (LVEPI) and the CCMB have shown that it was also able to slow down the formation of `cold cataract' in vivo, suggesting that Ashwagandha could well act as a `cataracto-static agent,' said D. Balasubramanian, director of the research centre at LVEPI.

Major cause of blindness

Pointing out that cataract was a major cause of blindness in India and the world over, Dr. Balasubramanian told The Hindu that even postponing cataract formation would result in enormous social and ecomonical benefit. He said that a delay in cataract formation of approximately 10 years would reduce the cataract surgical burden perhaps by 45 per cent. He said that oxidative damage was responsible for certain age-related diseases like arthritis, brain malfunctioning and cataract formation.

Of the estimated 15 million blind persons in the country, about 9.5-10 million people were cataract blind. While cataract was the chief cause of blindness in close to 50 per cent of 55-60 million across the world, it was as high as 66 per cent in India. The surgery cost, making available effective surgical treatment, trained manpower and the problem of post-operative complications would cast a substantial economic burden.

Use of antioxidants

Studies have also shown that taking regular antioxidant vitamins like Vitamin C, Vitamin A and E would retard the progress of cataract formation. However, they were beyond the reach of most people in developing countries. Therefore, antioxidant drugs available in poor countries should be affordable and culturally acceptable at the same time. Stating that antioxidants were abundantly available in traditional medicines, he felt that the people should be encouraged to use antioxidant plant products that formed part of their diet and traditional health practices.

Referring to the excellent anti-oxidative properties of Ashwagandha, he said that its regular intake might also be beneficial in slowing down other age-related disorders like arthritis. "We must be looking at Ayurvedic, Unani and other traditional medicines and keep validating and confirming by modern methods... they are definitely beneficial."

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Andhra Pradesh