THE CATARACTOGENIC EFFECT OF NICOTINE AND THE POSSIBLE PROTECTIVE ROLE OF CURCUMIN

The aim of the present investigation was to study the ophthalmological, histological and biochemical changes after intraperitoneal injection of nicotine for eight weeks. The possible protective role of curcumin was also evaluated. The study wasconducted on male albino rats (Wister strain). Three groups were included, the first group served as control, second group was injected with nicotine 2.5mg/Kg body weight (in physiological saline) for 8 weeks and the third group was administrated nicotine as in group 2 as well as curcumin 80 mg/kg body wt. Nicotine resulted in cataractous changesin the form of thickened capsule, flattening epithelial cells as well as vacuolar changes and fissuring of the fibers.