Is Sesamol Effective in Corneal Neovascularization?

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the effects of topically and subconjunctivally administered sesamol on experimentally induced corneal neovascularization in rats.

METHODS

Fifty-six right eyes of 56 Wistar Albino rats were chemically cauterized to induce corneal neovascularization in this experimental and comparative study. The subjects were divided into eight groups: topical sesamol (group 1), subconjunctival sesamol (group 2), topical bevacizumab (group 3), subconjunctival bevacizumab (group 4), topical bevacizumab+ sesamol (group 5), subconjunctival bevacizumab+ sesamol (group 6), topical Tween 80 (group 7), and control (group 8). The amount of subconjunctivally injected sesamol and bevacizumab was 1.25 mg each. Topical groups were administered 10 mg/mL drops twice daily. The control group was left untreated. To evaluate the degree of corneal neovascularization, digital photographs and corneal sections stained with hematoxylin-eosin and CD31 were used.

RESULTS

When photographs of neovascularization areas were examined, all treatment groups showed statistically significant differences when compared with the control group (P<0.001). Topical sesamol was found to be more effective when compared with subconjunctival sesamol (P=0.003). Topical sesamol+ bevacizumab was found to be more effective when compared with topical bevacizumab (P=0.018). The numbers of new corneal vessels were as follows: 12.28±6.29 in group 1, 36.85±12.8 in group 2, 18.85±7.71 in group 3, 16.85±8.70 in group 4, 19.57±8.56 in group 5, 22.57±7.43 in group 6, 45.00±11.29 in group 7, and 51.16±5.91 in group 8 (P<0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

The outcomes of this study suggest antiangiogenic effects of sesamol. The use of topical sesamol monotherapy or sesamol combined with bevacizumab may be options for the prevention of corneal neovascularization.