No abstract

The present study was performed to investigate the protective effect of blackberry as polyphenolic compounds for managing dry eye in experimental animal model. Materials and Methods: The Blackberry was dried in air oven. Dry eye induced by atropine sulphate 1% drops (2 drops in each eye daily) for 2 months, blackberry was taken as 20 % of the main diet. Thirty two rabbits (1000-1300g) were divided into four groups: G1: healthy control, G2: dry eye, G3: normal fed on blackberry, G4: dry eye feed on blackberry. Poly phenolic compounds of blackberry were analyzed by using High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). Tear production measured using tear break up time (TBUT) and schirmer test. Tears were collected day after day from all groups using 5-μL silanated microcapillary pipettes. At the end of experiments rabbits were fasted overnight and blood was withdrawn. The levels of reduced glutathione (GSH), malondialdehyde (MDA), nitric oxide (NO) and interlukin-1beta (IL-1β) were estimated in the tears and blood. In addition catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were determined in the blood. Cornea excised and examined by light microscope. Results: Significant improvements were noticed in tear breakup time and schirmer I score of dry eye rabbits fed on 20% dried blackberry compared to dry eye group. There was a significant (p < 0.05) decrease in serum and tears of IL-1β, NO and a statistically increase in the blood GSH, plasma CAT in dry eye rabbits fed on 20% dried blackberry compared to dry eye rabbit group. In conclusion: Supplementation with dried blackberry is effective against the dry eye syndrome by decreasing ocular inflammation and increasing antioxidant contents in tears of experimental animal model.