Therapeutic Efficacy of Topically Applied Antioxidant Medicinal Plant Extracts in a Mouse Model of Experimental Dry Eye

Oxid Med Cell Longev. 2016:2016:4727415. doi: 10.1155/2016/4727415. Epub 2016 May 26.

Abstract

Purpose. To investigate the therapeutic effects of topical administration of antioxidant medicinal plant extracts in a mouse model of experimental dry eye (EDE). Methods. Eye drops containing balanced salt solution (BSS) or 0.001%, 0.01%, and 0.1% extracts were applied for the treatment of EDE. Tear volume, tear film break-up time (BUT), and corneal fluorescein staining scores were measured 10 days after desiccating stress. In addition, we evaluated the levels of interleukin- (IL-) 1β, tumor necrosis factor- (TNF-) α, IL-6, interferon- (IFN-) γ, and IFN-γ associated chemokines, percentage of CD4+C-X-C chemokine receptor type 3 positive (CXCR3+) T cells, goblet cell density, number of 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal (4-HNE) positive cells, and extracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. Results. Compared to the EDE and BSS control groups, the mice treated with topical application of the 0.1% extract showed significant improvements in all clinical parameters, IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, and IFN-γ levels, percentage of CD4+CXCR3+ T cells, goblet cell density, number of 4-HNE-positive cells, and extracellular ROS production (P < 0.05). Conclusions. Topical application of 0.1% medicinal plant extracts improved clinical signs, decreased inflammation, and ameliorated oxidative stress marker and ROS production on the ocular surface of the EDE model mice.

MeSH terms

  • Administration, Ophthalmic
  • Aldehydes / metabolism
  • Animals
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / administration & dosage*
  • Antioxidants / administration & dosage*
  • Cytokines / metabolism
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Eye / drug effects*
  • Eye / metabolism
  • Eye / physiopathology
  • Female
  • Goblet Cells / drug effects
  • Goblet Cells / metabolism
  • Inflammation Mediators / metabolism
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Ophthalmic Solutions
  • Oxidative Stress / drug effects*
  • Phytotherapy
  • Plant Extracts / administration & dosage*
  • Plants, Medicinal
  • Reactive Oxygen Species / metabolism
  • Tears / drug effects*
  • Tears / metabolism
  • Time Factors
  • Xerophthalmia / drug therapy*
  • Xerophthalmia / metabolism
  • Xerophthalmia / physiopathology

Substances

  • Aldehydes
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents
  • Antioxidants
  • Cytokines
  • Inflammation Mediators
  • Ophthalmic Solutions
  • Plant Extracts
  • Reactive Oxygen Species
  • 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal