Diabetes may lead to oxidative stress-related ocular complications including

cataract. Thus, the aid of antioxidant therapy versus oxidative stress development is

necessary to reduce cataract progression. Flavonoid Naringenin is a well- recognized

natural antioxidant. Liposomes are appropriate nano-carriers for ocular drug delivery.

Hence, we aimed to prepare and assess the potential of Naringenin loaded liposome

(NLL) as topical ocular drug to ameliorate streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic

cataract. NLL was formulated by thin lipid film method (0.241 mg/ml); its

characterization was confirmed by Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM)

imaging, zeta potential and Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) measurements.

60 male Wistar rats have been distributed into three groups (control, (STZ) - induced

diabetic cataract and Naringenin treated). NLL was administered as eye drops (in

treated group) twice a day for 12 weeks. Slit-lamp photography and lens inspection

were conducted, FBS was detected. In the lens tissue reduced glutathione (GSH), total

soluble lens protein (TSP), carbonyl protein (CP), interleukin- 6 (IL-6), Caspase-3 and

vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) were measured. TEM imaging, particle

size, zeta potential and DSC results exhibited an effective NLL preparation. NLL

exhibited antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antiapoptotic efficacy in all parameters

associated with oxidative stress in the lens tissue of type 1 diabetic rats. Finally, the

findings disclosed that NLL could be recommended as a potential prophylactic agent

in diabetic cataract.