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

• Published in: Wounds (King of Prussia, Pa.) Vol. 29; no. 11; pp. 327 - 332
• Main Authors: Azmi, Muhammad Fairuz, Ghafar, Norzana Abd, Hamzah, Jemaima Che, Luan, Ng Sook, Hui, Chua Kien
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01.11.2017
• Subjects: Animals; Cell Cycle - drug effects; Cell Proliferation - drug effects; Cells, Cultured; Epithelium, Corneal - drug effects; Gene Expression - drug effects; Honey; Rabbits
• ISSN: 1943-2704

The aim of this study is to investigate the potential bene ts of Gelam honey (GH) in promoting proliferation of ex vivo cor- neal epithelial cells (CECs) and its effects on the phenotypical features. 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 cytom- etry, respectively. 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. Culture media treated with 0.0015% GH increased CEC proliferation while preserving its phenotypical features. This study demonstrated the potential devel- opment of GH-based topical treatment for super cial corneal injury.