| abstract |
A novel use of the compound of the formula <IMAGE> (I) wherein R1 is hydrogen atom or lower alkyl and R2 is hydrogen atom or phosphoric acid group, or a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof for preventing and treating cataract. The compounds of the formula (I) and pharmacologically acceptable salts thereof of the present invention inhibit initial changes in the lens, such as vacuolation and trochoidal change, and almost completely inhibit a decrease in the amounts of reduced glutathione and cysteine in the lens, so that they are advantageously used for the prevention of the onset and progress of cataract. |