Abstract
Purpose :
To explore the in vitro killing effect of water-soluble drug berberine (BBR) and lipid-soluble drug niclosamide (Ncl) against ocular Demodex folliculorum.
Methods :
Demodex folliculorum with good vigor were collected from patients’ eyelashes. These mites were randomly distributed into different groups with 20 mites in each group. Saline (NS), Double distilled water (DDW), TWEEN80, PEG300 and Castor oil were used to screen solvents and cosolvents. 20%TTO and EtOH were used as positive controls. 0.2% BBR, 0.25% Ncl and 0.5% Ncl, were designated as experimental groups here. Following treatment, mites’ viability was assessed based on the movement of their four pairs of legs and chelicera. The analysis of Kaplan-Meier survival curves and survival time were then performed. Furthermore, the morphology and distribution of mites were observed after treatment.
Results :
The survival of Demodexin vitro in NS and DDW, was no significant difference. Therefore, DDW, which was more conducive to the dissolution of BBR, was chosen as the solvent for BBR. 0.2% BBR significantly inhibited the survival distribution and survival time of Demodexin vitro compared with the DDW group. Meanwhile, the application of BBR made the distribution of Demodex tend to be more discrete. Through the evaluated of several cosolvents, PEG300 had milder effects on Demodex. Hence, the proportion of PEG300 in the Ncl solvent group was increased to reduce the irritability of the vehicle. Furthermore, Ncl could significantly inhibit the survival of Demodex compared with the vehicle group, and the effect of 0.5% Ncl was more obvious, and was better than 20%TTO. In addition, after Ncl administration, Demodex bodies were gradually distorted with increased transparency and blurring dark particles in the bodies compared with those in the vehicle group. However, similar to 20% TTO, these changes were relatively mild compared to EtOH.
Conclusions :
0.2% BBR and 0.5% Ncl significantly inhibited the survival of Demodex in vitro and 0.5% Ncl was better than 20% TTO. These triple-action drugs, with anti-Demodex and their reported already antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, may provide a promising therapeutic option for the treatment of Demodex blepharitis.
This abstract was presented at the 2024 ARVO Annual Meeting, held in Seattle, WA, May 5-9, 2024.