Antioxidative activities of 4-hydroxy-3(2H)-furanones and their anti-cataract effect on spontaneous cataract rat (ICR/f).

We determined the anti-cataract effects and antioxidative activities of four 4-hydroxy-3(2H)-furanones. These four furanones showed similar antioxidative activities in the ferric ion reduction model. 4-Hydroxy-2,5-dimethyl-3(2H)-furanone (HDMF) and 2(or 5)-ethyl-4-hydroxy-5(or 2)-methyl-3(2H)-furanone (EHMF) exhibited a higher suppression effect on lipid peroxidation in human plasma than the other furanones did. The effects of hydroxy furanones on the onset of cataract in spontaneous cataract rat (ICR/f rat) were tested, and it was observed that HDMF and EHMF inhibited cataract formation. These results suggest that the antioxidative activity of HDMF and EHMF against superoxide radicals in lens tissue contributed to inhibiting the onset of spontaneous cataract.