Decrease in corneal damage due to benzalkonium chloride by the addition of sericin into timolol maleate eye drops

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Biomaterials Science
• Cell Biology

Background:

• Benzalkonium chloride (BAC) is a common preservative in ophthalmic solutions, but can cause ocular surface toxicity.
• Timolol maleate eye drops are widely used for glaucoma management, often requiring long-term application.
• Protecting the corneal epithelium is crucial for maintaining ocular health during topical medication use.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the protective effects of sericin against BAC-induced corneal damage.
• To assess the impact of sericin on the efficacy and safety of timolol maleate eye drops.
• To investigate sericin's potential as a component in a safer preservative system for ophthalmic drugs.

Main Methods:

• In vitro studies using human cornea epithelial cells (HCE-T) to assess cell viability.
• In vivo studies on rat corneal abrasion models to evaluate wound healing rates.
• Antimicrobial activity testing against Escherichia coli.
• Assessment of transcorneal penetration and intraocular pressure (IOP) reduction in rabbit models.

Main Results:

• Sericin significantly enhanced corneal wound healing rates and cell viability in BAC-treated models.
• The antimicrobial activity of BAC was not affected by the addition of sericin.
• Sericin-containing timolol maleate eye drops showed improved corneal healing without altering IOP reduction or corneal penetration.

Conclusions:

• Sericin demonstrates significant protective effects on the corneal epithelium against BAC toxicity.
• A preservative system combining BAC and sericin may improve the safety profile of topical glaucoma medications.
• This approach holds promise for enhancing patient compliance and long-term treatment outcomes in glaucoma management.