Inhibitory Effect of Chrysin (5,7-Dihydroxyflavone) on Experimental Choroidal Neovascularization in Rats

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of chrysin on laser-induced experimental choroidal neovascularization (CNV) in a rat model.

Male brown Norway rats were anesthetized, and a diode laser was used to break Bruch's membrane. One week later, each rat was intravitreally injected with 5 µl of 15 mg/ml chrysin, and CNV development was determined by fluorescein angiography at 2 weeks. The effect of chrysin on experimental CNV was assessed by fluorescein angiography and histology.

Two weeks after laser treatment, the intensity of fluorescein leakage from the photocoagulated lesions decreased significantly compared with the control group (p = 0.044). When the lesions were categorized into low- and high-leakage groups, there was a significant correlation between chrysin treatment and degree of leakage (p = 0.028). Compared with the chrysin-treated group, the relative risk of developing high-leakage lesions in the control group was 3.18. The mean CNV thickness was significantly thinner in chrysin-treated eyes than in control eyes (34.13 ±.0.88 vs. 37.76 ± 0.90 μm, p = 0.005).

Chrysin has an inhibitory effect on CNV in an experimental rat model, indicating that chrysin should be further evaluated for its potential as a therapy for CNV in age-related macular degeneration and in other vision-threatening conditions associated with CNV.