Alpha lipoic acid (95, 2010, 13,15), fisetin & cataracts

See more information about cataracts.

2015
In a mouse model researchers tested whether the antioxidants alpha lipoic acid (ALA) or fisetin (a yellow colored flavanoid found in fruits and vegetables) were more effective in protecting against cataracts. Four groups of test mice were treated with fisetin, ALA, fisetin placebo, or ALA placebo. The fisetin group had the most protective results, ALA results were positive but not significant.

Kan, E., Kilickan, E., Ayar, A., Colak, R. (2015). Effects of two antioxidants; α-lipoic acid and fisetin against diabetic cataract in mice. Int Ophthalmol, Feb;35(1):115-20.

2013
An in-the-lab study of animal lenses looked at protection against induced cataracts and found that ALA could block the cataract formation by inhibiting epithelial cell death and activating the anti-oxidative process.

Researchers: Y. Li, Y.Z. Liu, J.M. Shi, S. B. Jia

Published: Alpha lipoic acid protects lens from H(2)O(2)-induced cataract by inhibiting apoptosis of lens epithelial cells and inducing activation of anti-oxidative enzymes, Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Medicine, July, 2013.

2010
A similar animal lens study where cataract formation was chemically induced divided 45 animals into a control group, a group where cataracts were induced, and a 3rd group where cataracts were induced and the animals were also fed ALA. Again, they found that ALA inhibited the formation of cataracts.

Chen, Y., Yi, L., Yan, G., Fang, Y., Jang, Y., et al. (2010). alpha-Lipoic acid alters post-translational modifications and protects the chaperone activity of lens alpha-crystallin in naphthalene-induced cataract. Current Eye Research, Jul;35(7):620-30.

1997
Researchers found that alpha lipoic acid can reduce cataracts in diabetics and appears to be a good nutrient in protecting against all oxidative damage in brain and nerve cell disorders.

Researchers: Packer, L.,
Published: Free Radical Biological Medicine 1997

1995
Researchers found that alpha lipoic acid can prevent development of cataracts. They determined that it may offer such a protective effect by increasing the levels of other antioxidants. ALA also is helpful for nerve degeneration and injury from radiation.

Researchers: Packer, et al.

Published: Alpha-lipoic acid prevents buthionine sulfoximine-induced cataract formation in newborn rats, Free Radical Biological Medicine, August 1995.

Researchers reported that alpha lipoic acid behaves like an antioxidant reacting with a number of oxidative species. It protects membranes due to its interaction with glutathione and vitamin C, and helps recycle vitamin E. found that alpha lipoic acid can prevent development of cataracts. It also is helpful for nerve degeneration and injury from radiation.

Researchers: Packer, et al,
Published: alpha-Lipoic acid as a biological antioxidant, Free Radical Biology & Medicine, August, 1995

Another study published the same year reported that scientists found that lipoic acid treatment on cataracts in rats has measurable benefit and conclude that it may be of therapeutic use in preventing cataracts and their related complications in human eyes, not only for cataracts, but for glaucoma as well.

Researchers: F. Kilic, et al.
Published: Modelling cortical cataractogenesis 17: in vitro effect of a-lipoic acid on glucose-induced lens membrane damage, a model of diabetic cataractogenesis, Biochemical and Molecular Biology Int., October, 1995.