Experimental and Clinical Applications of Chamaecyparis obtusa Extracts in Dry Eye Disease.

Lian Cui,Won Choi,Joo-Hee Choi,Hyo Seok Lee,Je-Jung Yun,Ying Li,Kyung Chul Yoon,Ji Eun Jung

doi:10.1155/2017/4523673

Abstract

Purpose To investigate the effects of Chamaecyparis obtusa (CO) on human corneal epithelial (HCE) cells, a murine experimental dry eye (EDE) model, and the efficacy of antioxidant eye mask in dry eye disease (DED) patients. Methods 0.001%, 0.01%, and 0.1% CO extracts were used to treat HCE cells, cell viability, and production of antioxidative enzymes, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) were assessed. Afterwards, CO extracts or balanced salt solution (BSS) was applied in EDE. Clinical and experimental parameters were measured at 7 days after treatment. In addition, DED patients were randomly assigned to wear either an eye mask containing CO extracts or a placebo. Clinical parameters were evaluated. Results The viability of HCE cells and antioxidative enzyme expression significantly improved after treatment with 0.1% CO extracts. Mice treated with 0.1% CO extracts showed significant improvement in clinical parameters. During the trial, the clinical parameters significantly improved in the treatment group at 4 weeks after application. Conclusions 0.1% CO extracts could promote the expression of antioxidative proteins and ROS production. In addition, an eye mask containing CO extracts could improve DED clinical parameters. These suggest that CO extracts may be useful as an adjunctive option for the DED treatment.

Highlights

Dry eye disease is one of the most common ophthalmic pathologies that results in symptoms of discomfort, visual disturbance, and tear instability with potential damage to the ocular surface [1]
We demonstrated the efficacy of mixed medicinal plants with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties against oxidative stress induced by irradiation from a short wavelength light-emitting diode or desiccating stress in human corneal epithelial (HCE) cells and in a mouse model of experimental dry eye (EDE) [6, 15]
We investigated the role of these Chamaecyparis obtusa (CO) extracts on oxidative stress and inflammatory markers in HCE cells and on clinical parameters in a mouse model of EDE and in patients with dry eye disease

Summary

Introduction

Dry eye disease is one of the most common ophthalmic pathologies that results in symptoms of discomfort, visual disturbance, and tear instability with potential damage to the ocular surface [1]. Dry eye disease is a chronic ocular disorder affecting about 14.5% of the world’s population including 17.9% of women and 10.5% of men, and the prevalence continues to rise [2]. The pathology of this condition involves inflammation of the ocular surface, in which T cells are highly involved [3, 4]. It was recognized that oxidative stress plays a notable role in dry eye disease [5,6,7,8]. The damaged epithelial cells release cytokines and cause ocular surface inflammation, resulting in dry eye disease [11]

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Results

Conclusion