No abstract

The efficacy of ethanol extract of Diospyros kaki (EEDK) on dry eye (DE) was determined using an experimental mouse model. Experimental groups included three treated with various amounts of EEDK and one treated with omega-3 for 2 weeks. Damage to the ocular surface was evaluated, and the presence of conjunctival goblet cells was determined. Moreover, the inflammatory response was analyzed via RT-PCR analysis and a reporter gene assay. Fluorescein staining intensity decreased in the EEDK treatment group, and goblet cell density increased significantly in a dose-dependent manner. Pro-inflammatory cytokines were upregulated in human corneal epithelial cells treated with Pam3Cys-Ser-(Lys)-4. However, pro-inflammatory cytokines were downregulated at the mRNA level upon treatment with EEDK. Furthermore, EEDK regulated Pam3CSK4-induced gene expression through interferon regulatory factors. EEDK effectively improves the conjunctival goblet cell density and reduces the inflammatory response by reducing interferon regulatory factor activation downstream of Toll-like receptors in DE. Therefore, EEDK could be beneficial agents for preventing and treating DE.

Standardized EERV could be a beneficial candidate for the treatment of dry eye disease.

In East Asia, the dried root of Lithospermum erythrorhizon has been utilized as an anti-inflammatory, antipyretic, detoxifying, and anti-inflammatory agent. Recently, we reported that L. erythrorhizon protects against allergic rhinitis; however, the component within L. erythrorhizon that exerts antiallergic activity remains unknown. The purpose of the current study was to isolate and characterize the antiallergic active components in an ethanolic extract of L. erythrorhizon roots. We examined the antiallergic effects of L. erythrorhizon reflux ethanol extracts in an ovalbumin (OVA)-induced allergic rhinitis mouse model, and compared the chemical compounds extracted using the hot reflux and cold extraction methods. Chromatographic separation identified two novel anthraquinones, erythrin A and B, one newly discovered compound from the Lithospermum genus, N1″,N3″-dicoumaroylspermidine, and nineteen other recognized compounds. Their chemical structures were elucidated by single (1D) and 2D analysis of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopic data, as well as high resolution mass spectrometry. Among the identified compounds, N,N′-dicoumaroylspermidine strongly inhibited the release of β-hexosaminidase, as well as the production of IL-3, IL-4, and IL-13 by IgE-sensitized and BSA-stimulated RBL-2H3 cells. Using the OVA-induced allergic rhinitis mouse model, we showed that N,N′-dicoumaroylspermidine reduced the production of serum OVA-specific IgE and the number of inflammatory cells in nasal lavage fluid. N,N′-dicoumaroylspermidine isolated from L. erythrorhizon exhibits antiallergic properties, making it potentially effective for allergic rhinitis.