The invention provides methods for treating and/or preventing the recurrence of a senile cataract, and/or for inhibiting the development of a senile cataract and/or an incipient senile cataract, in a human or animal subject. The invention further provides nutraceutical compositions suited for the same, derived from an extract of the plant Capraria biflora. The compositions comprise the extract in a therapeutically sufficient amount for the treatment and/or prophylaxis of a senile cataract in a human and/or animal subject.