Epigallocatechin gallate inhibits corneal neovascularization in ratalkaline burn model

To evaluate the effectiveness of epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) in inhibiting corneal neovascularization in rat alkaline burn model. Corneal neovascularization model was induced by sodium hydroxide alkaline burn injury in SD rats. Rats were randomly divided into two groups and were given intraperitoneal injection with EGCG or PBS per day for up to 14 days respectively. Corneal inflammation and neovascularization area were assessed on days 3, 7, and 14 after cauterization with digital photographs. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and pigment epithelium derived factor (PEDF) mRNA levels were measured by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). The nuclear transfactor-Κb (NF-κB) subunit P65 protein was assayed by immunohistochemistry. The differences of corneal inflammation scores between two groups were significant. The area of CNV between two groups had no significant difference on day 3 but have significant difference on days 7 and 14.The PDEF mRNA expression in EGCG group was significantly higher and the expression of VEGF mRNA was lower than those in PBS group. The results of immunohistochemistry showed from day 7, expression of NF-κB P65protein was suppressed considerably in EGCG group. This study demonstrates that EGCG inhibits corneal neovascularization in a rat model induced by alkali burn.