5-7-dihydroxy-3-(3-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzyl)-6-methoxychroman-4-one and Retinopathy-of-Prematurity

Neovascularization in the eye is the most common cause of blindness in all age groups; retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), diabetic retinopathy, and age-related macular degeneration. Despite current advances in surgical treatments, ROP remains as the most serious problem of vision loss in children. Here, we report that homoisoflavanone, a natural product from Cremastra appendiculata, significantly reduces retinal neovascularization in a mouse model of ROP. Homoisoflavanone inhibited the cell growth of HUVECs, but its cytotoxic effect was not observed in a concentration range of 1-20 microM. HUVECs population gradually increased in G2/M phase and reduced in G0/G1 and S phases after exposure to the compound. Homoisoflavanone decreased the level of cdc2 expression whereas the level of p21WAF1 expression was increased in a dose-dependent manner. These data demonstrate that homoisoflavanone could inhibit retinal neovascularization and be applied in the treatment of other vasoproliferative retinopathies.

Topics: Animals; CDC2 Protein Kinase; Cell Cycle; Disease Models, Animal; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Down-Regulation; Humans; Infant, Newborn; Isoflavones; Mice; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Retinal Neovascularization; Retinopathy of Prematurity