Published date: Sep 16 2024

Journal Title: Journal of Ophthalmic and Vision Research

Issue title: July–Sep 2024, Volume 19, Issue 3

Pages: 273–283

DOI: 10.18502/jovr.v19i3.13689

Hamed Zareh - hamed.zare1363@gmail.com - https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6017-5270

Alireza Shahriary - shahriary961@gmail.com - https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3240-9591

Ali Razei - Ali.razei@gmail.com - https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6863-928X

Rouhollah Ameri - r.ameri318@gmail.com - https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4310-7847

Mehdi Fasihi-Ramandi - fasihi.m@gmail.com - https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8242-4880

Hossein Aghamollaei - aghamolaei22@gmail.com - https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4275-8613

Purpose: Sulfur mustard (SM) is a potent blistering agent. This alkylating chemical agent has extremely toxic effects on the eye. MMP-2 and MMP-9 are the two most important matrix metalloproteinase enzymes involved in the pathology of chemical eye injuries. Curcumin is regarded as a natural anti-inflammatory agent. This study aims to compare the anti-inflammatory effects of curcumin versus doxycycline on chemically induced corneal injuries.
Methods: The HCE-2 cell line was used as a model for corneal cells. The effective concentrations of 2-chloroethyl ethyl sulfide (CEES) – as an analog of SM – doxycycline, and curcumin were determined using the MTT assay. The gene expression of MMP-2, MMP-9, and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinase (TIMP-1) was evaluated by the real-time PCR method. Also, the activity of MMP-2 and MMP-9 enzymes was determined by zymography.
Results: The expression of the MMP-2 and MMP-9 genes increased 5- and 3.3-fold after exposure to CEES, respectively. Following the treatment with curcumin and doxycycline, MMP- 2 expression decreased significantly. Also, after treatment with curcumin and doxycycline, the MMP-9 expression decreased 2.5- and 1.6-fold, respectively. The reduction in activity was 32% for MMP-2 and 56% for MMP-9 after treatment with curcumin. The corresponding values were 12% and 40% following doxycycline treatment. There was no significant difference between the effects of curcumin and doxycycline on reducing MMP-2 expression, but the difference was statistically significant in the case of MMP-9.
Conclusion: Doxycycline and curcumin can inhibit MMP expression and activity in chemically exposed corneal cells. Curcumin has a greater ability than doxycycline to inhibit MMP-2 and MMP- 9 enzymes; however, the difference is statistically significant only in the case of MMP-9. After further validation, these substances can be introduced as anti- inflammatory agents to treat corneal chemical burns.

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