Frontiers in Pharmacology (Oct 2021)

Cytoprotective Effects of Water Soluble Dihydropyrimidinthione Derivative Against UV-B Induced Human Corneal Epithelial Cell Photodamage

  • Enming Du,
  • Guojuan Pu,
  • Siyu He,
  • Fangyuan Qin,
  • Yange Wang,
  • Gang Wang,
  • Zongming Song,
  • Junjie Zhang,
  • Ye Tao,
  • Ye Tao

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2021.732833
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 12

Abstract

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Excessive UV-B exposure is well known to be a risk factor for corneal phototoxicity including direct DNA damage and disturbances in the antioxidant balance. Here, we showed a successful synthesis of a water-soluble and biocompatible small molecule DHPM 1 with dihydropyrimidinthione skeleton, which could effectively protect human corneal epithelial (HCE-2) cells from UV-B damage. In separate experiments, DHPM 1 absorbed UV-B rays and exhibited scavenging activity against intracellular ROS induced by UV-B radiation, thereby reducing the levels of DNA fragmentation. Additionally, UV-B exposure increased the expression of cleaved caspase-3, as well as the ratio of Bax/Bcl-2 at protein levels, while pretreatment with DHPM 1 significantly reversed these changes. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of a study based on dihydropyrimidinthione derivatives to develop a promising eye drops, which may well find extensive applications in UV-B caused corneal damage.

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