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Updated: Nov 18, 2025
Author Spotlight: Exploring Corneal Innate Immunity and Delayed Wound Healing in Diabetic Patients
Published on: January 10, 2025
Role of nicergoline in corneal wound healing in diabetic rats
Amanda Lemos Barros Martins Portela1, Rafael Neves Moreno2, Maria Helena Madruga Lima Ribeiro3
1Federal University of Pernambuco (UFPE), Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil. amandalbmportela@gmail.com.
Background:
To investigate the effect of nicergoline on the rate of complete corneal ulcer reepithelialization (CCUR) in diabetic rats with diabetic keratopathy.
Methods:
Forty-eight streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats were randomly divided into two groups. The experimental group (n = 24) received nicergoline (10 mg.kg- 1.day- 1), while the control group (n = 24) received a placebo. A corneal epithelial defect was induced using a corneal diamond burr, and defect area was compared at time points of 0, 12, 24, 48 and 72 h after the injury using image analysis software. The probability of CCUR within 72 h was assessed using the Kaplan-Meier survival analysis log-rank test.
Results:
When compared, 4 of the 24 rats (17%) in the placebo group and 12 of the 24 rats (50%) in the nicergoline group were found to have CCUR within 72 h (log-rank = 0.027). Cox regression analysis found no effect of the covariates blood glucose (P = 0.601) or weight (P = 0.322) on the corneal reepithelialization (survival) curve.
Conclusions:
Nicergoline increased wound healing rates relative to placebo and may therefore be investigated as a treatment option in diabetic keratopathy.
