COMPOSITION FOR PREVENTING OR TREATING DRY EYE SYNDROME, CONTAINING AUCUBA JAPONICA EXTRACT

Abstract

Provided is a composition for preventing, alleviating or treating dry eye syndrome, containing an Aucuba japonica extract as an active ingredient. The composition containing an Aucuba japonica extract can be effectively used in the prevention, alleviation or treatment of dry eye syndrome.

Claims

1. A method for preventing or treating dry eye syndrome, comprising administering an Aucuba japonica extract to a subject.

2. The method for preventing or treating dry eye syndrome according to claim 1, wherein the Aucuba japonica extract is an ethanol extract or a hot water extract.

3. The method for preventing or treating dry eye syndrome according to claim 2, wherein the ethanol extract is a 20-40% ethanol (w/w) extract.

4. The method for preventing or treating dry eye syndrome according to claim 2, wherein the hot water extract is extracted at a temperature of 90-120 C.

5. The method for preventing or treating dry eye syndrome composition according to claim 1, wherein the Aucuba japonica extract is administered orally.

6. The method for preventing or treating dry eye syndrome according to claim 1, wherein the Aucuba japonica extract is an extract of the leaf or stem of Aucuba japonica.

7. A functional health food composition for preventing or alleviating dry eye syndrome, comprising an Aucuba japonica extract as an active ingredient.

8. The functional health food composition according to claim 7, wherein the Aucuba japonica extract is an ethanol extract or a hot water extract.

9. The functional health food composition according to claim 7, wherein the Aucuba japonica extract is an extract of the leaf or stem of Aucuba japonica.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0023] FIG. 1 shows the change in the amount of tear secretion depending on the administration of an Aucuba japonica extract.

[0024] FIG. 2A shows images showing the state of corneal surface depending on the administration of an Aucuba japonica extract.

[0025] FIG. 2B quantitatively shows the degree of recovery from corneal damage depending on the administration of an Aucuba japonica extract as corneal smoothness scores.

BEST MODE

[0026] Hereinafter, the present disclosure is described in more detail through examples. However, these examples are for illustrative purposes only and the scope of the present disclosure is not limited by these examples.

Example 1. Preparation of Reflux Extract of Aucuba japonica

[0027] The leaf and stem of Aucuba japonica were collected two times, in June and September of 2017, at two places around Donnaeko Valley (Sanghyo-dong, Seogwipo-si, Jeju Special Self-Governing Province, Korea) and one place near Songdang-ri Haeoreum (Gujwa-eup, Jeju-si). The samples are kept in a sample storage room of Jeonbuk University.

[0028] Then, 50 g of the Aucuba japonica (a mixture of leaf and stem) was added to 1500 mL of 30% ethanol (w/w) and a 30% ethanol reflux extract was obtained by conducting reflux extraction once at 100 C. for 3 hours.

Example 2. Preparation of Hot Water Extract of Aucuba japonica

[0029] The leaf and stem of Aucuba japonica were collected two times, in June and September of 2017, at two places around Donnaeko Valley (Sanghyo-dong, Seogwipo-si, Jeju Special Self-Governing Province, Korea) and one place near Songdang-ri Haeoreum (Gujwa-eup, Jeju-si). The samples are kept in a sample storage room of Jeonbuk University.

[0030] Then, after adding 900 mL of distilled water to 50 g of the Aucuba japonica (a mixture of leaf and stem), an Aucuba japonica hot water extract was obtained by conducting extraction at 100 C. for 3 hours, concentration under reduced pressure, and drying.

Example 3. Analysis of Aucubin Content Through HPLC Analysis of Aucuba japonica Extract

[0031] The content of aucubin contained in the Aucuba japonica extract was analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography-diode array detection (HPLC-DAD; Shimadzu HPLC system, Shimadzu, Kyoto, Japan). The result is shown in Table 1.

TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Aucubin content (mean SD, n = 3) Extract mg/g % 30% ethanol extract 305.69 2.68 30.57 Hot water extract 159.82 2.07 15.98

Example 4. Evaluation of the Function of Aucuba japonica Extract In Vivo Using Dry Eye Syndrome Model Animal

[0032] 4.1 Experimental Animal and Experiment Design

[0033] Six-week-old SD rats were purchased from Orient and accustomed for one week. One week later, the exorbital lacrimal gland was surgically removed under deep anesthesia to induce dry eye syndrome. After one week, after contacting a phenol red thread for tear volume measurement (FCI Ophthalmic Zone Quick, Japan) to the ocular surface at the outer end of the eyelid, the length of the wetted thread was measured 30 seconds later. Among the rats, only the individuals with significantly decreased tear secretion levels compared to a non-treated group were selected for a drug efficacy test. After groping, drugs prepared for the respective groups were administered once a day for 5 days, and omega-3, a drug used for dry eye syndrome, was used as a control drug. The breeding of the experimental animals and all experimental procedures using the experimental animals were approved by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee of the Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine and were carried out according to guidelines.

[0034] 4.2 Analysis of Tear Volume and Corneal Damage

[0035] The amount of tear secretion was measured by contacting a phenol red thread for tear volume measurement (FCI Ophthalmic Zone Quick, Japan) to the ocular surface at the outer end of the eyelid and measuring the length of the wetted thread 30 seconds later. Corneal damage due to dryness was analyzed by photographing the cornea using a ring-type light illuminator and assessing the degree of corneal damage due to dryness.

[0036] 4.3 Experimental Results

[0037] 4.3.1 Increased Amount of Tear Secretion

[0038] A 30% ethanol extract of Aucuba japonica was orally administered to the dry eye syndrome-induced animal model at concentrations of 100 and 250 mg/kg/day, respectively, for 5 days. Then, the amount of tear secretion was measured. As shown in FIG. 1, it was confirmed that the amount of tear secretion was significantly increased by the administration of the Aucuba japonica extract. In particular, when compared with omega-3, which is typically used for the treatment of dry eye syndrome, the administration of the Aucuba japonica extract showed a better effect than the omega-3.

[0039] 4.3.2 Alleviated Corneal Damage

[0040] In dry eye syndrome, corneal damage is induced due to a lack of tears. Therefore, the effect of the 30% ethanol extract of Aucuba japonica on the alleviation of corneal damage was evaluated using the above-described animal model.

[0041] As a result, the normal group maintained the smooth and flat surface state of the cornea because the tear film was formed normally as shown in FIG. 2A. Meanwhile, the dry eye syndrome group showed rough corneal surface because the corneal epithelial cells were damaged due to insufficient tear film formation and the rough surface resulted in an irregularly distorted pattern. In contrast, the distortion caused by corneal damage was significantly inhibited in the Aucuba japonica extract-administered group, and the efficacy was superior to that of the control drug, omega-3. FIG. 2B quantitatively shows the degree of corneal damage as corneal smoothness scores.