ABSTRACT
Most inflammatory and degenerative processes include oxygen activating pro-
cesses where reactive oxygen species, ROS, are produced. Intrinsic radical
scavenging systems or compounds administered with food such as Vitamin C
and E, carotenoids and polyphenols, warrant metabolic control within certain
limits. Many of these are free radical scavengers or quenchers of activated states
and operate additively or synergistically. In this review mechanisms of cataract
formation and also of protection from oxidative damage by antioxidants, present
in many plant extracts used as natural drugs, are summarized. For this purpose,
principles of oxygen activation during cataract induction and protective actions
of antioxidants are outlined in short.
