Galactitol is a reduced form of galactose that has been found in various plants, including C. aculeatus.1 It is a toxic metabolite of galactose in humans that accumulates in the lens of patients with galactokinase deficiency-induced galactosemia, leading to cataract formation.2 Galactitol also accumulates in a transgenic mouse model of galactokinase deficiency, however, it does not lead to the formation of cataracts even with administration of a high-galactose diet.3
1.Tang, W.-H., Bai, S.-T., Tong, L., et al.Chemical constituents from Celastrus aculeatus Merr.Biochem. System. Ecol.5478-82(2014) 2.Lai, K., Elsas, L.J., and Wierenga, K.J.Galactose toxicity in animalsIUBMB Life61(11)1063-1074(2009) 3.Ai, Y., Zheng, Z., O'Brein-Jenkins, A., et al.A mouse model of galactose-induced cataractsHum. Mol. Genet.9(12)1821-1827(2000)