J Korean Ophthalmol Soc.  2021 Feb;62(2):164-172. 10.3341/jkos.2021.62.2.164.

Effect of Aralia Elata on the Expression of Hyperosmolarity-induced TonEBP Protein and Inflammatory Mediators in Corneal Epithelial Cells

• Kim SJ
• Park MH
• Yoo WS
• Hong EK
• Choi MY
• Choi WS

• KMID: 2512935
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3341/jkos.2021.62.2.164

Abstract

Purpose
To investigate the effect of Aralia elata (AE) on hyperosmolar stress-induced tonicity response enhancer-binding protein (TonEBP) expression and changes in the levels of proinflammatory cytokines in immortalized human corneal epithelial cells (hCECs).
Methods
Immortalized hCECs were cultured with either 5 or 10 μg/mL AE for 24 hours, and the medium then changed to a hyperosmotic medium (500 mOsM/L). After hyperosmolar treatment, cell viability and wound-healing assays were performed, and cell proteins subjected to Western blot analysis, immunocytochemistry for TonEBP and NF-κB, and tests measuring changes in the levels of oxidative stress markers and inflammatory mediators.
Results
AE pretreatment ameliorated hyperosmolarity-induced cell death and the delay in wound-healing in a dose-dependent manner. AE inhibited TonEBP and phospho-NF-κB p65 subunit upregulation. AE significantly decreased the expression levels of Bax, 4-HNE, and IL-1β; but increased those of Bcl-2, Bcl-xl, and Gpx.
Conclusions
AE increased cell viability and wound-healing, and inhibited the hyperosmolar stress-induced upregulation of TonEBP and NF-κB. AE may be useful for treatment of patients with certain ocular surface diseases.

Keyword

Aralia elata, Corneal epithelium, Hypertonic stress Inflammation, Tonicity response enhancer-binding protein