TY  - JOUR
TI  - Clinical investigations and mechanistic insights into the antioxidant effects of drugs post-cataract surgery
AU  - Tang, Ganlin
JO  - Pakistan Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences
JA  - Pak. J. Pharm. Sci.
VL  - 39
IS  - 5
SP  - 1498
EP  - 1506
PY  - 2026
DA  - 2026/05
KW  - Antioxidant capacity
KW  - Cataract surgery
KW  - Mingmu Dihuang Tang
KW  - Oxidative stress
DO  - 10.36721/PJPS.2026.39.5.REG.15135.1
AB  - Background: Postoperative recovery from cataract surgery in elderly patients can be complicated by oxidative stress and inflammation, which may affect clinical outcomes. Mingmu Dihuang Tang (MDT), a traditional Chinese medicine formula, is postulated to offer antioxidative and anti-inflammatory benefits in this context. Objectives: This study evaluated the clinical efficacy of MDT as an adjunctive therapy for antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects in elderly patients after cataract surgery. Methods: In this randomized controlled trial, 120 patients were allocated to either a control group receiving conventional Western medicine or an experimental group receiving conventional treatment plus MDT. Serum and aqueous humor levels of glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), nitric oxide and inflammatory cytokines (IL-2, IL-6, TNF-α) were measured. Visual acuity and lens opacity were also assessed. Results: Compared with the control group, the experimental group demonstrated significantly higher antioxidant activities (GSH-Px, CAT, SOD, TAC) and IL-2 levels, along with lower nitric oxide, IL-6 and TNF-α concentrations (P<0.05). The MDT group also showed better visual acuity recovery, reduced lens clouding and a lower complication rate. Conclusion: Adjunctive therapy with MDT enhances antioxidant capacity, modulates inflammation and improves clinical outcomes in cataract surgery recovery, indicating potential clinical value.
ER  -