Gelam Honey Helps Treat Eye Injuries

The Potential of Gelam Honey in Promoting the Proliferative Phase of Corneal Reepithelialization

Wounds. 2017 Jun 28

OBJECTIVE:

The aim of this study is to investigate the potential benefits of Gelam honey (GH) in promoting proliferation of ex vivo cor-neal epithelial cells (CECs) and its effects on the phenotypical features.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

Corneal epithelial cells were isolated from the corneas of rabbits (n = 6). The optimal dose of GH for CEC proliferation in both basal medium (BM) and cornea medium (CM) was determined via MTT (3-[4, 5-dimethyl thiazolyl-2]-2, 5-diphenyl tetrazolium bro- mide) assay. Morphology, gene and protein expressions, and cell cycle analysis of CECs were evaluated via phase contrast microscopy, real- time polymerase chain reaction, immunocytochemistry, and ow cytometry, respectively.

RESULTS:

Corneal epithelial cells cultured in 0.0015% GH-supplemented media (BM + 0.0015% GH; CM + 0.0015% GH) demonstrated optimal proliferative capacity with normal polygonal- shaped morphology. Gelam honey potentiates cytokeratin 3 (CK3) gene expression in accordance with the cytoplasmic CK3 protein expression while retaining normal cell cycle of CECs.

CONCLUSION:

Culture media treated with 0.0015% GH increased CEC proliferation while preserving its phenotypical features. This study demonstrated the potential development of GH-based topical treatment for superficial corneal injury.