Phlorizin Protects Against Oxidative Stress and Inflammation in Age-Related Macular Degeneration Model

Background:<i></i>Sweet Tea (Lithocarpus polystachyus Rehd.), a traditional ethnobotanical medicine, contains phlorizin, a dihydrochalcone compound with antioxidative and anti-inflammatory properties. Given the critical role of oxidative stress and inflammation in age-related macular deg...

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Main Authors: Zhen-Yu Liao, Chih-Yu Hung, Yu-Jou Hsu, I-Chia Liang, Yi-Chun Chen, Chao-Hsien Sung, Chi-Feng Hung
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-04-01
Series:Biomolecules
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2218-273X/15/4/523
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author Zhen-Yu Liao
Chih-Yu Hung
Yu-Jou Hsu
I-Chia Liang
Yi-Chun Chen
Chao-Hsien Sung
Chi-Feng Hung
author_facet Zhen-Yu Liao
Chih-Yu Hung
Yu-Jou Hsu
I-Chia Liang
Yi-Chun Chen
Chao-Hsien Sung
Chi-Feng Hung
author_sort Zhen-Yu Liao
collection DOAJ
description Background:<i></i>Sweet Tea (Lithocarpus polystachyus Rehd.), a traditional ethnobotanical medicine, contains phlorizin, a dihydrochalcone compound with antioxidative and anti-inflammatory properties. Given the critical role of oxidative stress and inflammation in age-related macular degeneration (AMD), this study tested the hypothesis that phlorizin mitigates oxidative damage and inflammation in AMD models, thereby offering therapeutic potential. Materials and Methods: Adult retinal pigmented epithelial cells (ARPE-19) were pre-treated with phlorizin (0.01–0.1 μM) and subjected to oxidative stress induced by ultraviolet A (UVA) radiation or sodium iodate (NaIO<sub>3</sub>). Cell viability, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, MAPK/NF-κB signaling, and the level of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α) and pro-angiogenic factors (VEGF, MMP2, MMP9) expression were assessed using MTT assays, fluorescence imaging, Western blotting, and RT-qPCR. In vivo, a laser-induced choroidal neovascularization (CNV) mouse model was used to evaluate phlorizin’s effects on CNV formation and vascular leakage via fundus photography and fluorescence angiography. Result: Phlorizin significantly enhanced cell viability, reduced ROS production, inhibited MAPK/NF-κB activation, and downregulated inflammatory and angiogenic mediators. In vivo studies confirmed the reduced CNV formation and vascular leakage following the phlorizin treatment. Conclusions: Phlorizin demonstrated significant protective effects against oxidative stress and inflammation, highlighting its therapeutic potential for treating AMD.
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spelling doaj-art-cb23c8446b3a498e90fc0dbfd1d4f7dc2025-08-20T03:14:21ZengMDPI AGBiomolecules2218-273X2025-04-0115452310.3390/biom15040523Phlorizin Protects Against Oxidative Stress and Inflammation in Age-Related Macular Degeneration ModelZhen-Yu Liao0Chih-Yu Hung1Yu-Jou Hsu2I-Chia Liang3Yi-Chun Chen4Chao-Hsien Sung5Chi-Feng Hung6Department of Internal Medicine, Shin Kong Wu Ho-Su Memorial Hospital, Taipei 111, TaiwanDepartment of Ophthalmology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Kweishan, Taoyuan 333, TaiwanPhD Program in Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Fu Jen Catholic University, New Taipei City 242, TaiwanNational Defense Medical Center, Department of Ophthalmology, Tri-Service General Hospital, Taipei 114, TaiwanPhD Program in Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Fu Jen Catholic University, New Taipei City 242, TaiwanPhD Program in Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Fu Jen Catholic University, New Taipei City 242, TaiwanPhD Program in Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Fu Jen Catholic University, New Taipei City 242, TaiwanBackground:<i></i>Sweet Tea (Lithocarpus polystachyus Rehd.), a traditional ethnobotanical medicine, contains phlorizin, a dihydrochalcone compound with antioxidative and anti-inflammatory properties. Given the critical role of oxidative stress and inflammation in age-related macular degeneration (AMD), this study tested the hypothesis that phlorizin mitigates oxidative damage and inflammation in AMD models, thereby offering therapeutic potential. Materials and Methods: Adult retinal pigmented epithelial cells (ARPE-19) were pre-treated with phlorizin (0.01–0.1 μM) and subjected to oxidative stress induced by ultraviolet A (UVA) radiation or sodium iodate (NaIO<sub>3</sub>). Cell viability, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, MAPK/NF-κB signaling, and the level of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α) and pro-angiogenic factors (VEGF, MMP2, MMP9) expression were assessed using MTT assays, fluorescence imaging, Western blotting, and RT-qPCR. In vivo, a laser-induced choroidal neovascularization (CNV) mouse model was used to evaluate phlorizin’s effects on CNV formation and vascular leakage via fundus photography and fluorescence angiography. Result: Phlorizin significantly enhanced cell viability, reduced ROS production, inhibited MAPK/NF-κB activation, and downregulated inflammatory and angiogenic mediators. In vivo studies confirmed the reduced CNV formation and vascular leakage following the phlorizin treatment. Conclusions: Phlorizin demonstrated significant protective effects against oxidative stress and inflammation, highlighting its therapeutic potential for treating AMD.https://www.mdpi.com/2218-273X/15/4/523phlorizinage-related macular degenerationretinal pigment epithelial cellsinflammationoxidative stress
spellingShingle Zhen-Yu Liao
Chih-Yu Hung
Yu-Jou Hsu
I-Chia Liang
Yi-Chun Chen
Chao-Hsien Sung
Chi-Feng Hung
Phlorizin Protects Against Oxidative Stress and Inflammation in Age-Related Macular Degeneration Model
Biomolecules
phlorizin
age-related macular degeneration
retinal pigment epithelial cells
inflammation
oxidative stress
title Phlorizin Protects Against Oxidative Stress and Inflammation in Age-Related Macular Degeneration Model
title_full Phlorizin Protects Against Oxidative Stress and Inflammation in Age-Related Macular Degeneration Model
title_fullStr Phlorizin Protects Against Oxidative Stress and Inflammation in Age-Related Macular Degeneration Model
title_full_unstemmed Phlorizin Protects Against Oxidative Stress and Inflammation in Age-Related Macular Degeneration Model
title_short Phlorizin Protects Against Oxidative Stress and Inflammation in Age-Related Macular Degeneration Model
title_sort phlorizin protects against oxidative stress and inflammation in age related macular degeneration model
topic phlorizin
age-related macular degeneration
retinal pigment epithelial cells
inflammation
oxidative stress
url https://www.mdpi.com/2218-273X/15/4/523
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