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Protective Effect of Allyl Isothiocyanate in an Experimentally Induced Rat Model for Dry Eye Syndrome
Omer Ersin Muz1, Cemal Orhan2, Mehmet Tuzcu3
1Department of Ophthalmology, Yunus Emre State Hospital, Eskisehir, Turkey.
Purpose:
Growing evidence emphasizes the role of inflammation and oxidative stress in the pathogenesis of Dry Eye Syndrome (DES). Concordantly, the importance of agents targeting the inflammatory cascade and oxidative stress in the treatment is also progressively increasing. Herein, the study has investigated the protective effects and underlying mechanism of allyl isothiocyanate (AITC) on the ocular surface in a benzalkonium chloride (BAC)-induced dry eye rat model.
Methods:
A total of twenty-one Wistar albino rats were used to form the following three groups: Control, BAC, BAC + AITC. DES was established by topical application of BAC (four times daily for two weeks) in two groups, of which one group was treated with AITC (10 mg/kg BW daily oral dosage) for four weeks. Rats were monitored by dry eye diagnostic tests during the study period, and eventually, corneal tissues were used to evaluate for histopathologic analyzes and inflammatory and oxidative status.
Results:
A significant improvement was observed in various histopathologic and ophthalmologic findings, including tear volume, tear film integrity, ocular surface damage, ocular inflammatory signs, corneal thickness, and edema through AITC supplementation. AITC prominently balanced the inflammatory status and oxidative stress by lowering key proinflammatory mediators (NF-κB, TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-8) and increasing the activities of antioxidant enzymes (SOD, GSH-Px). Also, levels of protective tear proteins, including Muc1, Muc4, and Muc5 were recovered with AITC supplementation.
Conclusion:
AITC alleviates clinical and histopathologic signs related to DES. Antioxidative and anti-inflammatory properties of AITC play a significant role in the mechanism of action.
Insights
Allyl isothiocyanate (AITC) effectively treats dry eye syndrome (DES) by reducing inflammation and oxidative stress. This study demonstrates AITC
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Immunology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Dry Eye Syndrome (DES) pathogenesis involves inflammation and oxidative stress.
- Targeting inflammatory and oxidative pathways is crucial for effective DES treatment.
- The therapeutic potential of natural compounds like allyl isothiocyanate (AITC) warrants investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the protective effects of allyl isothiocyanate (AITC) on the ocular surface.
- To elucidate the underlying mechanism of AITC in a benzalkonium chloride (BAC)-induced dry eye rat model.
- To evaluate AITC's impact on inflammation and oxidative stress markers in DES.
Main Methods:
- A benzalkonium chloride (BAC)-induced dry eye rat model was established.
- Rats were divided into Control, BAC, and BAC + AITC groups.
- AITC was administered orally, and ocular surface health, histopathology, and inflammatory/oxidative markers were assessed.
Main Results:
- AITC supplementation significantly improved tear volume, tear film integrity, and ocular surface damage.
- AITC reduced key pro-inflammatory mediators (NF-κB, TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8) and oxidative stress markers.
- AITC increased antioxidant enzyme activities (SOD, GSH-Px) and restored protective tear proteins (Muc1, Muc4, Muc5).
Conclusions:
- Allyl isothiocyanate (AITC) effectively alleviates clinical and histopathological signs of dry eye syndrome.
- The antioxidative and anti-inflammatory properties of AITC are key to its therapeutic mechanism.
- AITC shows promise as a novel therapeutic agent for managing dry eye disease.
