Therapeutic Effects of Acer palmatum Thumb. Leaf Extract (KIOM-2015E) on Benzalkonium Chloride-Induced Dry Eye in a Mouse Model

Abstract

We determined the effects of two extracts from Acer palmatum Thumb. leaves (hot water extract KIOM-2015EW and 25% ethanol extract KIOM-2015EE) in a benzalkonium chloride (BAC)-induced dry eye mouse model. Dry eye was induced by 0.2% BAC for 2 weeks, followed by treatment three times (eye drop) or once (oral administration) daily with KIOM-2015E for 2 weeks. Treatment with both KIOM-2015EE and KIOM-2015EW resulted in a marked increase in tear volume production for the 4 days of treatment. The Lissamine Green staining score, TUNEL-positive cells, and inflammatory index were significantly decreased after 2 weeks. Topical KIOM-2015EE administration exhibited a greater improvement in decreasing the ocular surface staining scores, inflammation, dead cells, and increasing tear production in a dose-dependent manner compared with the other groups. Furthermore, KIOM-2015E significantly reduced the phosphorylation of NF-κB, which was activated in the BAC-treated cornea. Topical administration was much more effective than oral administration for KIOM-2015E and KIOM-2015EE was more effective than KIOM-2015EW. Application of KIOM-2015E resulted in clinical improvement, inhibited the inflammatory response, and alleviated signs of dry eye. These results indicate that KIOM-2015E has potential as a therapeutic agent for the clinical treatment of dry eye.

Combining MSC Exosomes and Cerium Oxide Nanocrystals for Enhanced Dry Eye Syndrome Therapy

“…To investigate the effectiveness of MSCExo-Ce as a potential treatment for DES, a BAC-induced dry eye mouse model was employed. This model exhibits the key clinical characteristics of DES and is well established for assessing treatment responses [ 29 , 30 , 31 ]. C57BL/6J mice received 5 µL eye drops of 0.2% BAC twice daily for 7 days to induce the BAC mouse model.…”