Impact of PSDS Combined with Ganciclovir on Treatment and Serum C5 with Inflammation and Oxidative Stress in Serum and Tears of Herpes Simplex Keratitis Patients

Abstract

Background: Herpes simplex virus (HSV) is a well-established cause of eye disease and associated blindness. It is known as herpes simplex keratitis (HSK) when the HSV invades the cornea and causes symptoms such as eye pain and dryness, lacrimation, and impaired vision. Objectives: To investigate the therapeutic effect of potassium sodium dehydroandroandrographolide succinate (PSDS) combined with ganciclovir in patients with HSK. Methods: Herpes simplex keratitis patients (n = 80) were randomized into two groups (control group and ganciclovir + PSDS group). Treatment efficacy was recorded. The changes in serum C5 and concentrations of inflammatory and oxidative stress factors in the serum and tears were compared. The correlations between changes in serum C5 concentration and changes in high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) concentrations in serum and tears were analyzed. Results: The treatment efficacy was better in the ganciclovir + PSDS group. Serum C5 concentration was lower in the ganciclovir + PSDS group after treatment. In addition, the concentrations of hs-CRP and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) as well as malondialdehyde (MDA) and SOD in the serum and tears were also lower in the ganciclovir + PSDS group. Serum C5 concentration was positively correlated with hs-CRP concentration and negatively associated with SOD concentration. Conclusions: We found improvements in clinical symptoms of patients treated with ganciclovir + PSDS. Our results suggest that the addition of PSDS to ganciclovir treatment will effectively reduce inflammation and oxidative stress and relieve the clinical symptoms of patients with HSK.