Abstract
Purpose :
The only current available treatment for pterygium is surgery, which uses coadjuvants that could harm the cornea. Pharmacological advancement is required to aid in the prevention of this problem. We have demonstrated the Siempreviva sap effectiveness in lowering pterygium fibroblast viability, proliferation, neovascularization, and inflammatory biomarkers. Here we analyzed the Siempreviva sap's antifibrotic effect in an in vitro model.
Methods :
DMEM-F12 supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum and 1% streptomycin was used to seed healthy human dermal fibroblasts (HDFa) and human liver cancer cells (HEPG2) on a 96-well plate at a temperature of 37°C with 5% CO2. Utilizing the CellTiter-Blue® Cell Viability Assay, viability was evaluated. Following a 48h treatment with 250 μg/ml of Siempreviva, 100 μM of I3C (positive antifibrotic control) and culture media (negative control) for each cell type, the cells were exposed to UV radiation for varying lengths of time (0, 6, 12, 18, 24 and 30 minutes), and a day later they were examined. Each assay was carried out in triplicate. ANOVA and t-student were used in statistical analysis of the data.
Results :
The Siempreviva and the positive and negative controls had the same overall viability of both cell types according to the ANOVA test (p>0.05). However, the irradiation point timings of 6, 12, 18, and 24 min were significantly different in the HDFa (p<0.05) when compared to the negative and positive control. In addition, the viability in the HEPG2 cells varied significantly (p<0.05) from the positive control at points in time 18, 24, and 30 min.
Conclusions :
In contrast to liver cancer cells, which demonstrated a loss in viability, the Siempreviva sap reduces the effect of UV radiation damage over healthy human fibroblast viability, which might potentially represent a prophylactic treatment for pterygium. To show its preventative efficacy in its incidence, additional in vivo research is required.
This abstract was presented at the 2023 ARVO Annual Meeting, held in New Orleans, LA, April 23-27, 2023.