Utilizing Cordyceps cicadae Mycelium as a Potential Supplement for Alleviating UVB‐Induced Photokeratitis Symptoms In Vivo

ABSTRACT Ultraviolet (UV) radiation exposure to the cornea can lead to photokeratitis, disrupting tear film homeostasis and increasing the risk of dry eye disease (DED). While Cordyceps cicadae mycelium extracts (CCME) have been reported to benefit ocular diseases, their potential to alleviate UVB‐i...

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Main Authors: Tsung‐Han Lu, Szu‐Yu Kuo, Jui‐Hsia Hsu, Yen‐Lien Chen, Han‐Hsin Chang, Chin‐Chu Chen, David Pei‐Cheng Lin
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2025-08-01
Series:eFood
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1002/efd2.70083
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author Tsung‐Han Lu
Szu‐Yu Kuo
Jui‐Hsia Hsu
Yen‐Lien Chen
Han‐Hsin Chang
Chin‐Chu Chen
David Pei‐Cheng Lin
author_facet Tsung‐Han Lu
Szu‐Yu Kuo
Jui‐Hsia Hsu
Yen‐Lien Chen
Han‐Hsin Chang
Chin‐Chu Chen
David Pei‐Cheng Lin
author_sort Tsung‐Han Lu
collection DOAJ
description ABSTRACT Ultraviolet (UV) radiation exposure to the cornea can lead to photokeratitis, disrupting tear film homeostasis and increasing the risk of dry eye disease (DED). While Cordyceps cicadae mycelium extracts (CCME) have been reported to benefit ocular diseases, their potential to alleviate UVB‐induced photokeratitis remains unexplored. This study investigated the CCME's protective effects against UVB‐induced corneal damage. ICR mice were randomly assigned to three groups: a control group, a UVB‐exposed group with vehicle treatment (UVB group), and a UVB‐exposed group treated with CCME (CCME group). Tear volume (TV), tear break‐up time (TBUT), ocular surface integrity, conjunctival goblet cell density, and inflammatory markers were evaluated. The results demonstrated that CCME intake significantly improved TV and TBUT, while reducing oxidative stress and inflammatory markers (p63 + , PCNA, NF‐κB, and COX‐2). Notably, CCME treatment helped to preserve goblet cells and maintain Muc5Ac expression therein, with concomitant suppression on lipid peroxidation (as indicated by MDA and 4‐HNE reduction) in the meibomian glands, suggesting its role in stabilizing tear film composition. This study advances the field by introducing CCME as a potential therapeutic agent for photokeratitis, offering a natural, oral treatment alternative with anti‐inflammatory and antioxidative properties. CCME could help prevent progression to chronic DED and other ocular surface disorders by mitigating corneal inflammation and preserving tear film components. Given the elevated prevalence of UV‐induced ocular damage due to environmental changes, these findings provide a foundation for developing CCME‐based interventions in ophthalmology, bridging traditional medicine with modern therapeutic interventions.
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issn 2666-3066
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spelling doaj-art-e6406fef099149f9b844210c129b15c52025-08-20T04:00:54ZengWileyeFood2666-30662025-08-0164n/an/a10.1002/efd2.70083Utilizing Cordyceps cicadae Mycelium as a Potential Supplement for Alleviating UVB‐Induced Photokeratitis Symptoms In VivoTsung‐Han Lu0Szu‐Yu Kuo1Jui‐Hsia Hsu2Yen‐Lien Chen3Han‐Hsin Chang4Chin‐Chu Chen5David Pei‐Cheng Lin6Institute of Medicine Chung Shan Medical University Taichung City TaiwanGrape King Bio Ltd Taoyuan City TaiwanGrape King Bio Ltd Taoyuan City TaiwanGrape King Bio Ltd Taoyuan City TaiwanDepartment of Ophthalmology Chung Shan Medical University Hospital Taichung City TaiwanGrape King Bio Ltd Taoyuan City TaiwanDepartment of Nutrition Chung Shan Medical University Taichung City TaiwanABSTRACT Ultraviolet (UV) radiation exposure to the cornea can lead to photokeratitis, disrupting tear film homeostasis and increasing the risk of dry eye disease (DED). While Cordyceps cicadae mycelium extracts (CCME) have been reported to benefit ocular diseases, their potential to alleviate UVB‐induced photokeratitis remains unexplored. This study investigated the CCME's protective effects against UVB‐induced corneal damage. ICR mice were randomly assigned to three groups: a control group, a UVB‐exposed group with vehicle treatment (UVB group), and a UVB‐exposed group treated with CCME (CCME group). Tear volume (TV), tear break‐up time (TBUT), ocular surface integrity, conjunctival goblet cell density, and inflammatory markers were evaluated. The results demonstrated that CCME intake significantly improved TV and TBUT, while reducing oxidative stress and inflammatory markers (p63 + , PCNA, NF‐κB, and COX‐2). Notably, CCME treatment helped to preserve goblet cells and maintain Muc5Ac expression therein, with concomitant suppression on lipid peroxidation (as indicated by MDA and 4‐HNE reduction) in the meibomian glands, suggesting its role in stabilizing tear film composition. This study advances the field by introducing CCME as a potential therapeutic agent for photokeratitis, offering a natural, oral treatment alternative with anti‐inflammatory and antioxidative properties. CCME could help prevent progression to chronic DED and other ocular surface disorders by mitigating corneal inflammation and preserving tear film components. Given the elevated prevalence of UV‐induced ocular damage due to environmental changes, these findings provide a foundation for developing CCME‐based interventions in ophthalmology, bridging traditional medicine with modern therapeutic interventions.https://doi.org/10.1002/efd2.70083conjunctival goblet cellCordyceps cicadae mycelium extracts (CCME)corneal damagemeibomian glandsoxidative and inflammatory markerstear break‐up time (TBUT)
spellingShingle Tsung‐Han Lu
Szu‐Yu Kuo
Jui‐Hsia Hsu
Yen‐Lien Chen
Han‐Hsin Chang
Chin‐Chu Chen
David Pei‐Cheng Lin
Utilizing Cordyceps cicadae Mycelium as a Potential Supplement for Alleviating UVB‐Induced Photokeratitis Symptoms In Vivo
eFood
conjunctival goblet cell
Cordyceps cicadae mycelium extracts (CCME)
corneal damage
meibomian glands
oxidative and inflammatory markers
tear break‐up time (TBUT)
title Utilizing Cordyceps cicadae Mycelium as a Potential Supplement for Alleviating UVB‐Induced Photokeratitis Symptoms In Vivo
title_full Utilizing Cordyceps cicadae Mycelium as a Potential Supplement for Alleviating UVB‐Induced Photokeratitis Symptoms In Vivo
title_fullStr Utilizing Cordyceps cicadae Mycelium as a Potential Supplement for Alleviating UVB‐Induced Photokeratitis Symptoms In Vivo
title_full_unstemmed Utilizing Cordyceps cicadae Mycelium as a Potential Supplement for Alleviating UVB‐Induced Photokeratitis Symptoms In Vivo
title_short Utilizing Cordyceps cicadae Mycelium as a Potential Supplement for Alleviating UVB‐Induced Photokeratitis Symptoms In Vivo
title_sort utilizing cordyceps cicadae mycelium as a potential supplement for alleviating uvb induced photokeratitis symptoms in vivo
topic conjunctival goblet cell
Cordyceps cicadae mycelium extracts (CCME)
corneal damage
meibomian glands
oxidative and inflammatory markers
tear break‐up time (TBUT)
url https://doi.org/10.1002/efd2.70083
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