title: Anti-Inflammatory and Antioxidative Effects of Camellia japonica on Human Corneal Epithelial Cells and Experimental Dry Eye: In Vivo and In Vitro Study.
abstract: To analyze the anti-inflammatory and antioxidative effects of Camellia japonica (CJ) on human corneal epithelial (HCE) cells and its therapeutic effects in a mouse model of experimental dry eye (EDE).
  
  
  
  Camellia japonica extracts of varying concentrations (0.001%, 0.01%, and 0.1%) were used to treat HCE cells. Dichlorofluorescein diacetate (DCF-DA) and dihydroethidium (DHE) assays were performed. The production of peroxiredoxin (PRX) 1-6 and manganese-dependent superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) in HCE cells was assessed using Western blot analysis. Furthermore, eye drops containing 0.001%, 0.01%, or 0.1% CJ extract or a balanced salt solution (BSS) were applied to the EDE. Clinical parameters were measured 7 days after treatment. The levels of inflammatory markers and intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) were measured.
  
  
  
  Treatment with 0.01% and 0.1% CJ extracts decreased apoptosis in HCE cells. In addition, band intensities of PRX 1, 4, and 5, as well as MnSOD, after hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) treatment showed a significant improvement after pretreatment with 0.01% and 0.1% CJ extracts. Mice treated with 0.1% CJ extract showed significantly improved clinical parameters when compared to those of the EDE control and BSS groups. A significant decrease in the levels of inflammatory markers and intracellular ROS was observed in the 0.01% and 0.1% CJ extract groups.
  
  
  
  Camellia japonica extracts promoted antioxidative protein expression and suppressed apoptosis in HCE cells. Furthermore, CJ extracts improved clinical signs of dry eye and reduced oxidative stress and the expression of inflammatory markers, suggesting that eye drops containing CJ extract could be used as an adjunctive treatment for dry eye.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Chonnam National University Medical School and Hospital, Gwangju, South Korea.
authors.forename: Hyo Seok
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: College of Veterinary Medicine, BK 21 PLUS Project Team, Chonnam National University, Gwangju, South Korea.
authors.forename: Joo-Hee
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Chonnam National University Medical School and Hospital, Gwangju, South Korea 3Department of Biomedical Sciences, Center for Creative Biomedical Scientists, Chonnam National University, Gwangju, South Korea.
authors.forename: Lian
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Cui
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Chonnam National University Medical School and Hospital, Gwangju, South Korea 3Department of Biomedical Sciences, Center for Creative Biomedical Scientists, Chonnam National University, Gwangju, South Korea.
authors.forename: Ying
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Graduate School of Medical Science and Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon, South Korea.
authors.forename: Jee Myung
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.affiliation: Business Supporting Team, Center for Nano Bio Research, Jangseong, Jeonnam, South Korea.
authors.forename: Je-Jung
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Yun
authors.affiliation: Jeonnam Forest Resource Research Institute, Naju, Jeonnam, South Korea.
authors.forename: Ji Eun
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Jung
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Chonnam National University Medical School and Hospital, Gwangju, South Korea.
authors.forename: Won
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Chonnam National University Medical School and Hospital, Gwangju, South Korea.
authors.forename: Kyung Chul
authors.initials: KC
authors.lastname: Yoon
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015153:Blotting, Western; D028244:Camellia; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D015352:Dry Eye Syndromes / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D019573:Epithelium, Corneal / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D053078:Membrane Potential, Mitochondrial / Q000187:drug effects; D051379:Mice; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000378:metabolism; D013666:Tears / Q000378:metabolism; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D000975:Antioxidants; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D010936:Plant Extracts; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha