Wu Chao, Shi Lu, Deng Yan, Chen Hongping, Lu Ying, Xiong Xiaoyan, Yin Xiaolong
Department of Ophthalmology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China.
Department of Histology and Embryology, Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China.
Curr Eye Res. 2025 Feb;50(2):139-147. doi: 10.1080/02713683.2024.2408392. Epub 2024 Oct 2.
Bufalin (BU) is a bioactive ingredient extracted from the skin and parotid venom glands of Bufo raddei, which can effectively inhibit angiogenesis. The aim of this study was to investigate whether BU could affect corneal neovascularization (CoNV).
A rat CoNV model (right eye) was constructed by administration of NaOH, and the left eye served as a control. Corneal damage scores of rats were detected. Hematoxylin & eosin, TUNEL, and Masson staining examined pathological changes, apoptosis, and fibrosis of corneal tissues. Immunohistochemistry and western blotting assessed the expression of proteins.
BU intervention resulted in a significant reduction in corneal inflammatory cells, repair of corneal epithelial hyperplasia, significant reduction in stromal edema, and reduction in vascular proliferation. BU can inhibit corneal neovascularization.
This study demonstrated that BU inhibits CoNV, fibrosis, and inflammation by modulating the STAT3 signaling pathway, elucidating the intrinsic mechanism of its protective effect. BU has great potential in the treatment of CoNV caused by corneal alkali burns.
蟾毒灵（BU）是从中华大蟾蜍皮肤和腮腺毒腺中提取的一种生物活性成分，可有效抑制血管生成。本研究旨在探讨BU是否会影响角膜新生血管化（CoNV）。
通过给予氢氧化钠构建大鼠CoNV模型（右眼），左眼作为对照。检测大鼠角膜损伤评分。苏木精-伊红染色、TUNEL染色和Masson染色检查角膜组织的病理变化、细胞凋亡和纤维化情况。免疫组织化学和蛋白质印迹法评估蛋白质表达。
BU干预导致角膜炎症细胞显著减少、角膜上皮增生修复、基质水肿显著减轻以及血管增殖减少。BU可抑制角膜新生血管化。
本研究表明，BU通过调节STAT3信号通路抑制CoNV、纤维化和炎症，阐明了其保护作用的内在机制。BU在治疗角膜碱烧伤引起的CoNV方面具有巨大潜力。
