Exploring the anti-inflammatory effects of acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine targeting the miRNA-146a/IRAK1/JNK1 pathway in an environmental dry eye rat model

Background

Dry eye syndrome has emerged as a subject of substantial significance in the field of ophthalmological research, prompting an exploration of therapeutic approaches.

Objective

This study investigates the anti-inflammatory effects of acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine in an environmental dry eye (EDE) rat model, focusing on the intricate "miRNA-146a/IRAK1/JNK1" pathway.

Material and methods

The experimental groups included Control, Model, 0.3% Sodium Hyaluronate (SH), Acupuncture (Acup), Herbal medicine (YQCM), and Combined therapy (Acup + YQCM), each aimed at understanding their efficacy in addressing EDE complexities. Treatment efficacy was gauged using various parameters.

Results

Acupuncture and herbal medicine intervention demonstrated significant improvements in tear secretion (SIT) and tear break-up time (BUT). Histological analyses, particularly Hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining, highlighted improved corneal epithelial cell morphology in the Acup and YQCM groups, effectively mitigating the irregularities observed in the Model group. Notably, Acup + YQCM group exhibited the most promising results (P < 0.05). Scanning electron microscopy showed slightly uneven corneal surfaces in intervention groups, characterized by new epithelial cell growth over the basement membrane and fewer vesicular structures. Acupuncture and herbal medicine intervention yielded significant improvements. On the molecular level, key inflammatory markers including matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), and caspase-3 exhibited significant reductions in response to acupuncture and herbal medicine interventions (P < 0.05). An investigation into the regulatory miRNA-146a/IRAK1/JNK1 pathway unveiled that acupuncture and herbal medicine interventions not only triggered elevated miR-146a expression—an established anti-inflammatory miRNA—but also concurrently downregulated IRAK1 expression, a pivotal inflammation mediator.

Conclusion

This study suggests that the combined application of acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine may offer a potential anti-inflammatory effect in addressing environment dry eye. The findings indicate promising outcomes, including potential improvements in tear secretion, potential enhancements in corneal morphology, and potential modulation of key inflammatory markers and miRNA pathways. While further research is warranted to validate these findings and elucidate the underlying mechanisms, this study may provide valuable insights into the therapeutic landscape of ocular health. By shedding light on the synergistic effects of acupuncture and herbal medicine, this research underscores the importance of a holistic approach in managing complex ocular conditions.