title: Effects of edible bird's nest (EBN) on cultured rabbit corneal keratocytes.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  There has been no effective treatment or agent that is available for corneal injury in promoting corneal wound healing. Previous studies on edible bird's nest extract (EBN) had reported the presence of hormone-like substance; avian epidermal growth factor that could stimulate cell division and enhance regeneration. This study aimed to investigate the effects of EBN on corneal keratocytes proliferative capacity and phenotypical changes.
  
  
  METHODS
  Corneal keratocytes from six New Zealand White Rabbits were isolated and cultured until Passage 1. The proliferative effects of EBN on corneal keratocytes were determined by MTT assay in serum-containing medium (FDS) and serum-free medium (FD). Keratocytes phenotypical changes were morphologically assessed and gene expression of aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH), collagen type 1 and lumican were determined through RT-PCR.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The highest cell proliferation was observed when both media were supplemented with 0.05% and 0.1% EBN. Cell proliferation was also consistently higher in FDS compared to FD. Both phase contrast micrographs and gene expression analysis confirmed the corneal keratocytes retained their phenotypes with the addition of EBN.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results suggested that low concentration of EBN could synergistically induce cell proliferation, especially in serum-containing medium. This could be a novel breakthrough as both cell proliferation and functional maintenance are important during corneal wound healing. The in vitro test is considered as a crucial first step for nutri-pharmaceutical formation of EBN-based eye drops before in vivo application.
authors: Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Jalan Raja Muda Abdul Aziz, Kuala Lumpur 50300, Malaysia.
authors: Fadhilah
authors: F
authors: Zainal Abidin
authors: Chua Kien
authors: CK
authors: Hui
authors: Ng Sook
authors: NS
authors: Luan
authors: Elvy Suhana
authors: ES
authors: Mohd Ramli
authors: Lee Ting
authors: LT
authors: Hun
authors: Norzana
authors: N
authors: Abd Ghafar
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001685:Biological Factors / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001717:Birds / Q000378:metabolism; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003315:Cornea / Q000166:cytology* / Q000187:drug effects; D003316:Corneal Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D065306:Corneal Injuries; D060527:Corneal Keratocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D008516:Medicine, Chinese Traditional; D011817:Rabbits; D012463:Saliva / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D001685:Biological Factors