A standardized extract of Rhynchosia volubilis ameliorates ovariectomy (OVX)-induced dry eye in mice.

Abstract

Purpose : To investigate the protective effects of a standardized ethanol extract of Rhynchosia voulbilis (EERV) on ovariectomy (OVX)-induced dry eye in mice.

Methods : EERV (100, 50, and 10 mg/kg body weight) or 17β-estradiol (E2) plus progesterone (P4) were administered to ovariectomized female adults BALB/c mice (7 weeks-old) by orally for 8 weeks. The protective effects were evaluated by the methods including fluorescein staining, tear break-up time (BUT), tear production (Schirmer’s test) and histological analysis. Apoptotic cell death of corneal cells was evaluated by in situ terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) kit. The inflammation-associated and apoptosis associated protein levels were also detected by Western blot analysis.

Results : All the altered clinical parameters caused by ovariectomy (OVX)-induced dry eye in mice were significantly reversed by EERV administration compared with the OVX alone, tested by the methods including fluorescein score, BUT, Schirmer’s test, and ocular surface changes. Furthermore, EERV showed the reduced levels of apoptosis-associated and inflammatory proteins, and apoptotic cells (TUNEL positive cells) of the cornea in the OVX+EERV group.

Conclusions : Overall finings demonstrated that standardized EERV can be effectively used as a beneficial agent for dry eye disease.

This is an abstract that was submitted for the 2018 ARVO Annual Meeting, held in Honolulu, Hawaii, April 29 - May 3, 2018.