Effects of different concentrations of tetramethylpyrazine, an active constituent of Chinese herb, on human corneal epithelial cell damaged by hydrogen peroxide.

AIM: To discuss the effects of different concentrations of tetramethylpyrazine (TMP), an active constituent of Chinese herb, on damaged Shandong human corneal epithelial cell (SDHCEC) induced by hydrogen peroxide. METHODS: We detected the combined effects of TMP with concentrations ranging from 4 mg/mL to 0.03 mg/mL and 800 µM hydrogen peroxide on SDHCEC. The methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay was processed at 3, 6 and 12h separately while the detection of cell apoptosis at 6h only by flow cytometry. RESULTS: The viability of SDHCEC with 0.5 mg/mL, 0.25 mg/mL, 0.125 mg/mL and 0.06 mg/mL TMP joint with 800 µM hydrogen peroxide at 3h and 6h was significantly higher than that with 800 µM hydrogen peroxide only, P<0.05. However, except 0.25 mg/mL, TMP with other concentrations joint with 800 µM hydrogen peroxide at 12h could not significantly inhibit decreased SDHCEC viability induced by 800 µM hydrogen peroxide. At 12h, TMP of 0.5 mg/mL, 0.25 mg/mL, 0.125 mg/mL and 0.06 mg/mL could significantly inhibit SDHCEC early apoptosis induced by 800 µM hydrogen peroxide, most remarkable at 0.25 mg/mL TMP, P<0.05. CONCLUSION: Our results suggested that hydrogen peroxide can induce apoptosis related damage to SDHCEC. TMP can protect SDHCEC from the damage, and the protective effects may be associated with its anti-apoptosis mechanism.