Bio-spectroscopic analysis of corneal structural alterations in dry eye disease: A study of collagen, co-enzymes, lipids, and proteins with emphasis on phytotherapy intervention

• Published in: International journal of biological macromolecules 2024-11, Vol.280 (Pt 3), p.136010, Article 136010
• Main Authors: Moussa, Shaimaa M., Mahmoud, Sherif S., Aly, Eman M., Talaat, Mona S.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Co-enzymes; coenzymes; Collagen; Cornea; Dry eye; eye diseases; fluorescence emission spectroscopy; glycosaminoglycans; green tea; Lipids; ophthalmology; Phytotherapy; pomegranates; protein secondary structure; Proteins; proteoglycans
• ISSN: 0141-8130; 1879-0003; 1879-0003
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.136010

Dry eye disease (DED) stands as a prevalent cause for ophthalmology consultations, securing the third position following refractive errors and cataracts. Moreover, the likelihood of experiencing DED escalates with advancing age. In this experimental study corneal tissue alterations due to DED were investigated over different periods by applying both infrared and synchronous fluorescence spectroscopy. The potential effects of instillation of pomegranate and green tea water extracts as green-friendly treatment modalities were also evaluated. The obtained results collectively indicate that DED affects the OH bearing constituents (collagen, glycosaminoglycans, and proteoglycans) of cornea leading to changes in protein secondary structure and the collagen fibrils. Additionally, enhanced dehydrated environment, and reduced energetic/metabolic state, as indicated by co-enzymes, was observed. Phyto-therapeutic administration can contain these alterations with enhanced energetic/metabolic state and increased hydration environment. In conclusion, instillation of green tea extract can protect/restore the collagen fibrils and its potential effects, in general, exceeds that of pomegranate extract. •Dry eye disease impacting OH bearing constituents of the cornea and directly affecting the corneal collagen fibrils.•Dry eye disease is associated with dehydrated environment and reduced energetic/metabolic state of cornea.•Water extracts exhibited potential effects and can contain the effects associated with dry eye disease.•Water extracts can protect collagen fibrils with green tea extract is superior in restoring collagen fibrils.