Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a leading cause of vision loss in people aged over 50 years worldwidely. Wet AMD occurs when abnormal blood vessels form underneath the macular and cause damage to the cells, particularly if they leak blood and fluid into the eye. Anti-vegf injections currently administrated AMD patients have lots of medical unmet need such as repeated injection, non-response, resistance, and side effects like stroke. We investigate the efficacy of Jakyakgamcho-tang (EGHB010) on AMD as an oral administration.
EGHB010 is a well-known Korean traditional herbal formular, which consists of Paeoniae radix and Glycyrrhizae radix and rhizoma. EGHB010 was prepared in hot water and was analyzed by means of HPLC with 8 marker compounds.
AGE (Advanced Glycation Endproduct) accumulation occurs in the Bruch membrane in the eye of aging patients and is associated with AMD development. We reported that EGHB010 dose-dependently inhibited AGE formation. In Human retinal endothelial cell (HREC), an inhibitory action on AGE formation of EGHB010 was performed. EGHB010 significantly decreased AGE formation in HREC.
The animal models were used MNU (Methylnitrosourea)-induced photoreceptor cell degeneration model (C57BL/6 mouse), and choroidal neovascularization (CNV) Brow Norway rat model by laser photocoagulation. EGHB010 (10, 50, 100 mg/kg/day) was given orally during 10 days immediately after NMU treatment and laser injury, respectively. Activity of maker compounds of EGHB010 was also performed in MNU- treated zebrafish model.
Apoptosis of photoreceptors in EGHB010-treated groups was significantly inhibited compared to MNU-treated group. EGHB010-treated groups significantly reduced the CNV volume in dose-dependent manner. Among maker compounds, gallic acid, paeoniflorin, liquiritin, and benzoic acid significantly prevented the decrease in ONL thickness in MNU-treated zebrafish model.
Taken together, EGHB010 could be possible drug- and/or functional food-candidate for prevention and/or treatment of AMD.
