The Effects of Sargassum horneri Extract and Fucoidan on Tear Hyposecretion and Ocular Surface Injury in Rats with Dry Eye Diseases

Abstract

Hyperosmotic stress caused by tear hyposection is a leading cause of dry eye disease. We investigated the prevention of dry eye disease in corneal epithelial cells and in rats that were induced to develop dry eye disease via unilateral excision of their exorbital lacrimal gland using Sargassum horneri extract (AB_SH) and its bioactive component fucoidan. Oral administration of AB_SH (250 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg) and fucoidan (100 mg/kg) was conducted for 7 days. In order to measure tear secretion, phenol red thread tear tests were performed along with corneal irregularity measurements. The apoptotic injury in the cornea and the lacrimal gland was evaluated using TUNEL staining. AB_SH and fucoidan were shown to suppress apoptosis and the expression of apoptosis-related proteins in human corneal epithelial cells under hyperosmotic conditions. Oral administration of AB_SH and fucoidan attenuated tear hyposecretion and corneal irregularity in the lacrimal gland-excised rats. In addition, AB_SH and fucoidan also reduced apoptosis in the cornea and lacrimal gland. This study suggests that S. horneri extract and fucoidan can effectively ameliorate dry eye disease by suppressing the apoptosis of ocular tissues.

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“…It was found that fucoidan suppressed apoptosis and the expression of apoptosis-related proteins in human corneal epithelial cells under hyperosmotic conditions. Moreover, fucoidan reduced tear hyposecretion and corneal irregularity in the lacrimal-gland-excised rats [32] (Table 1). A challenging sightendangering complication of retinal detachment surgery is PVR.…”

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“…Several in vivo studies and clinical trials have demonstrated the protective effects of medicinal plants (such as Sargassum horneri, Vaccinium myrtillus Linn, Aristotelia chilensis) and phytochemicals, including fucoidan and resveratrol, against DED. 2 , 6 , 7 , 8 …”

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“…Park et al demonstrated that the extract of Sargassum honeri along with fucoidan prevents hyperosmotic stress-induced apoptosis of corneal epithelium and lacrimal glands, thus preventing tears from hyposecretion and apoptosis. Patients suffering from dry eye disease may benefit from the use of S. honeri extract and fucoidan [ 6 ].…”