Effects of flavone on the oxidation-induced injury of retinal pigment epithelium cells.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effect of flavone on oxidation-induced injury in retinal pigment epithelium cells.

METHODS

In in vivo studies, NaIO(3)-induced RPE degeneration in rat eyes was treated with 0.5% flavone eye drops 3 times a day for 1 week before and 4 weeks after NaIO(3) injection. At the end of 2 and 4 weeks, all rats were measured c-wave by electroretinogram (ERG). In in vitro studies, ARPE-19 cells were treated with hypoxia, H(2)O(2), NaN(3) and t-BHP to induce cell damages. MTT assay was used to measure the viable cells.

RESULTS

The ERG c-wave results showed that flavone reversed NaIO(3)-induced injury at the end of 4 weeks. In vitro results showed flavone reversed the various oxidants-induced injuries in RPE cells.

CONCLUSIONS

Flavone could prevent the RPE from oxidation-induced injury both in vivo and in vitro.