Eye drops made from spinach extract

By applying the principles of plant photosynthesis, Singaporean scientists have developed an eye drop medication to treat dry eye syndrome, a condition currently affecting 1 billion people globally.

Research led by experts at the National University of Singapore (NUS) extracted photosynthetic cells from spinach leaves and formulated them into eye drops for testing on human eye cells and genetically modified mouse eyes to develop dry eye syndrome.

When exposed to ambient light, plant-derived nanocells added to eye cells begin producing NADPH, a compound that combats reactive oxygen species (ROS) that cause inflammation and cellular stress. “This is an exciting finding because it’s the first time we’ve demonstrated that photosynthetic plant cells can be implanted into animal tissue to produce molecules that are biologically useful,” said NUS molecular bioengineer Xing Kuoran.

Results published in the journal Cell show that the experimental eye drops have the potential to alleviate eye pain and burning. Within 30 minutes of exposure to light, NADPH reduces ROS activity and restores immune cells in the cornea to a protective, anti-inflammatory state. In mice that received the eye drops twice daily for 5 days, LEAF performed better than Restasis, a prescription medication used to treat dry eye, but which is quite expensive and often has side effects (causing eye irritation).

Because the extract comes from spinach (a readily available and inexpensive vegetable) and is used in the form of simple eye drops, the research team believes that the technology, called LEAF, has enormous clinical application potential.

T. TRUC (According to Science Alert)

Source: https://baocantho.com.vn/thuoc-nho-mat-chiet-xuat-tu-cai-bo-xoi-a205512.html