The Role of Pterocarpus in <i>Aspergillus fumigatus</i> Keratitis in Mice

紫檀茋(Pterostilbene, PTE)是一种白藜芦醇的天然类似物，主要存在于葡萄、蓝莓等浆果中。已有研究表明，紫檀茋具有抗菌、抗炎、抗氧化、抗癌、调节脂肪代谢、神经保护等多种药理活性，但紫檀茋在真菌性角膜炎中的作用尚未被研究。本文旨在探索紫檀茋对小鼠烟曲霉菌性角膜炎的治疗作用及潜在机制。方法：在体外实验中，使用烟曲霉菌感染人角膜上皮细胞后用紫檀茋处理细胞，采用PCR技术检测细胞中Nrf2、HO-1以及IL-6、TNF-α、IL-1β因子的mRNA水平。建立烟曲霉菌性角膜炎小鼠模型，给予紫檀茋或DMSO治疗，对小鼠眼球固定切片并进行HE染色，观察炎症细胞聚集情况。结果：紫檀茋增加了烟曲霉菌诱导的HCEC细胞中Nrf2、HO-1的含量，同时降低了炎症因子水平，减轻了烟曲霉菌性角膜炎的炎症细胞聚集。结论：紫檀茋可以影响Nrf2、HO-1的表达并减轻烟曲霉菌性角膜炎的炎症反应。Pterostilbene (PTE) is a naturally occurring analogue of resveratrol, which is found in berries, such as grapes and blueberries. PTE has been shown to possess various pharmacological activities, including antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anticancer, modulation of lipid metabolism, and neuroprotection. However, the role of PTE in fungal keratitis has not yet been investigated. The aim of this paper is to explore the therapeutic effect and potential mechanism of PTE on Aspergillus fumigatus keratitis in mice. Methods: In vitro experiments were conducted to investigate the effects of Aspergillus fumigatus infection on HCECs. The cells were stimulated with PTE, and the mRNA levels of Nrf2 and HO-1, as well as IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-1β factors, were detected by PCR. In vivo experiments were performed by infecting the cornea of C57BL/6 mice to establish a mouse model of Aspergillus fumigatus keratitis, and treatment was given with PTE or DMSO. Fixed sections of mouse eyes were made and stained with HE staining, to observe the aggregation of cells. Results: PTE enhanced the expression of Nrf2 and HO-1 in Aspergillus fumigatus-induced HCECs. Concurrently, the levels of inflammatory factors were diminished, and the inflammatory cell aggregation in Aspergillus fumigatus keratitis was mitigated. Conclusions: PTE can affect Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway and reduce inflammatory response of Aspergillus fumigus keratitis.