• Journal of Korean Ophthalmic Optics Society
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.283-292
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• 2005

This study investigated the effects of naringin, and chitosan in rabbits' corneas. Naringin, a glycone of naringenin, is a widely distributed bioflavonoid in the grapefruit and citrus peel, and it has already been reported as an antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anticancer agent. It has been used as a food preservatives and cosmetics. One of the natural preservatives, chitosan has also used in food preservatives, health drinks, and teas. Chitosan is distributed in the epithelium of crustacea, insects, and fungi. Naringin and chitosan have no harmful effects of cytotoxicity in the human body and they are recognized as an antibacterial for various forms of bacteria. The purpose of this study is to search for the ideal percentage of natural products to substitute the chemical preservatives occuring within the cornea and conjunctiva cytotoxicity and inflammations as wearing on soft contact lens. The present study compared the morphology of corneal epithelium and endothelium observed by light microscopy (LM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). In vivo methods, We investigated the effects of natural preservatives on soft contact lens. We inserted 3-4 drops of the naringin and chitosan, directly on rabbits' corneas 4 times per a day during one week. After enucleation of cornea, morphorgical damages of the epithelium and endothelium were observed by LM and TEM. In view of ultrastructure, chitosan caused siginficant damage on the epithelium and endothelium of cornea. The damage of cells was higher in chitosan treated cornea than 0.01, 0.1, and 1% of naringin. The 1% of naringin also expressed cell damage seriously. The results suggest that the most important thing is to use the reasonable percentage of preservatives for contact lens solutions.