Natural antioxidant biomolecules promises future nanomedicine based therapy for cataract

Cataract is an eye disease of major human concern and its prevention is important to control the global incidences of blindness. The emergence of cataract in the eye lens by strong UV radiation and growing pollution could be effectively reduced by natural antioxidant biomolecules such as flavonoids, phenolic acids, carotenoids and vitamins. This goal can be achieved either by direct external use of antioxidant biomolecules in the form of topical application as an eye drops, food supplements or through nanobiotechnology based formulation without any side effects. In this manuscript, we have discussed the mechanisms of cataract formation and the preventive role of different classes of natural antioxidant biomolecules. Further, role of nanobiotechnology to enhance therapeutic potential of these natural antioxidant molecules by enhancing solubility, stability, bioavailability and sustained release has been briefly discussed. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.