Abstract
Purpose :
In the clinical practice, surgical excision is the first choice treatment option for pterygium, yet its high recurrence rate causes great concern for both patients and clinicians. In the present study, we examine the effects of lyophilized Siempreviva, a Mexican native plant, and assess it for anti-proliferative antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity in human pterygium fibroblasts (HPFs).
Methods :
HPFs where cultured and isolated from pterygium tissue, after surgical removal cells from fourth to sixth passages where used for experiments. HPFs where seeded in a 96 well plate at a density of 5x103 with 250 µg/ml of Siempreviva plant lyophilized or without treatment. Cells where incubated for 24 hours at 37° C. Prolifereration-inhibiting effects of lyophilized was assayed by CellTiter-Blue®. The expression of connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) was detected by RT-qPCR. Phenolic conenctration of Siempreviva lyophilized where measured by Folin-Ciocalteu method and antioxidant activity via Orac assay. Anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated by the Bovine Serum Albumin (BSA) protein denaturation assay using Aspirin as the reference anti-inflammatory drug. All data is presented as means ± the standard error of the mean and was assessed for significance using unpaired t-tests (2 groups).
Results :
CellTiter-Blue® Cell Viability Assay revealed that SiempreViva significantly inhibited HPFs proliferation with an inhibitory effect exceeding 50% with 250 µg/ml doses compared with the control group (P<0.01). The mRNA expression of CTGF in the lyophilized-treated groups decreased by 0.92-fold compared with the control group (P<0.05). Results showed phenolic concentrations of 33.67 µg GAE/mg and antioxidant activity of 384.49 Trolox ml-1 equivalents. Lyophilized SiempreViva inhibited the denaturation of BSA exhibiting anti-denaturation activity of over 40%.
Conclusions :
Lyophilized SiempreViva suppresses cell proliferation in HPFs and inhibits CTGF expression. SiempreViva possesses higher phenolic concentration and antioxidant activity compared to other medicinal plants such as Aloe Vera and Cactus. Results of anti-denaturation capacity give it additional anti-inflammatory properties. These results reveal the potential of SiempreViva plant to be used as a novel agent for pterygium treatment. Further in vivo analysis will determine its therapeutical activity.
This abstract was presented at the 2019 ARVO Annual Meeting, held in Vancouver, Canada, April 28 - May 2, 2019.