The Anti-inflammatory effect of Onion extract in rabbit with Corneal ulcer

Abstract

Corneal ulcer is a pathological condition of the cornea characterized by corneal tissue discontinuity on stromal epithelium. The most common cause of corneal ulcers is due to Staphylococcus bacterial infection. Staphylococcus aureus infects the cornea by secreting alpha-toxin and protease, which degrade the corneal extracellular matrix. Neutrophils, as an innate immune system, will be involved in bacterial phagocytosis. If the corneal ulcer is not treated properly, it will become scar with neovascularization, which cause partial or total blindness. Onion (Allium cepa L.) contains quercetin, which has antibacterial properties and is thought to inhibit the angiogenic mediator, namely Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF). This study aimed to determine the effect and minimum effective concentration of onion extract administration, which can decrease the neutrophils, scar area, and neovascularization number in corneal ulcer rabbit induced with Staphylococcus aureus. This study is true experimental research with a post-test only control group design. Corneal ulcers in rabbits are made by intra-stromal injection of the Staphylococcus aureus. After the corneal ulcer formed, each group received one of the following treatments: moxifloxacin HCl 0.5%, onion extract 1.5%; 3%; 6%; and 12% for 7 days. The results showed that onion extract (Allium cepa L.) could decrease neutrophil count at a concentration of 6.5% and inhibit the formation of neovascularization at a concentration of 3%.