Effect of flavone on the ocular blood flow and formation of choroidal neovascularization

Abstract:

AIM: To investigate the effect of flavone on ocular blood flow in rabbit eyes and the formation of choroidal neovascularization (CNV) in rat model of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). METHODS: In in vivo studies, colored microsphere technique was used to determine the ocular blood flow in ocular hypertensive rabbit eyes. The rat eyes were treated with 0.5% flavone eye drops 3 times a day for 1 week before and 4 weeks after laser-induced injury of Bruch's membrane. The development of CNV was determined by fluorescein angiography (FA) performed on the 2nd and 4th after injury. In in vitro studies, the effect of flavone on the viability of human umbilical vein endothelial cells HUVECs was measured by MTT assay. RESULTS: The ocular blood flow in rabbit eyes was significantly increased after flavone instillation. Flavone significantly inhibited the formation of laser induced CNV. In vitro results showed that flavone inhibited the proliferation of HUVECs. CONCLUSION: Flavone could increase ocular blood flow and inhibit the formation of CNV.