AIM: To observe the effects of butterflybush flower eye drops at different concentrations on expression of inflammatory crtokines IL-1β, Mucin 5AC(MUC5AC)and P38MAPK in castrated male rabbits, and to explore the therapeutic effect of that drops on dry eyes.

METHODS: Thirty-six male rabbits were randomly divided into blank group(A), model group(B), low concentrations butterflybush flower eye drops group(C, 1mg/mL), the medium concentrations drops group(D, 1.5mg/mL), the high concentrations drops group(E, 3mg/mL), and testosterone group(F). In addition to group A, the testes and epididymis were removed from each group to establish a dry eye animal model. After successful modeling, groups A and B remain unchanged. Groups C, D, and E were given different concentrations of butterflybush flower eye drops, 3 times/d. In group F, testosterone propionate was injected into the muscles of the thigh at a dose of 0.5mL/kg once every 3d. Fluorescein staining, Schirmer I test(SⅠt)and tear film break time(BUT)were measured under general anesthesia in each group, eatment. After 4wk of treatment, the rabbits were sacrificed and the conjunctival tissues of the eyes were taken. The expression of IL-1β, mucin 5AC and P38MAPK in the conjunctiva was detected by immunohistochemical staining.

RESULTS: Among low concentrations butterflybush flower eye drops group, the medium concentrations drops group and the high concentrations drops group, the SⅠt value was significantly higher than that of model group, and BUT was significantly longer than model group. The positive staining of corneal fluorescein was significantly improved compared with model group, which was statistically significant(P<0.01). Among IL-1β and P38MAPK in the conjunctiva of high concentrations butterflybush flower eye drops group, the medium concentrations drops group and the low concentrations drops group, the positive expressions were lower than those in model group, and the expression of MUC5AC was higher than that in group model group(P<0.01). In addition, the high concentrations drops group was superior to the low and the medium concentrations drops group.

CONCLUSION: Butterflybush flower eye drops have androgen-like effect. For castrated dry eyes of male rabbits, they can down-regulate the expression of IL-1beta and P38MAPK in dry conjunctival tissue and increase the expression of MUC5AC, thus reducing inflammation infiltration in dry conjunctival tissue and maintaining tear film stability, but their effect is weaker than that of androgen. To the treatment of dry eyes, the middle and high concentration groups of the drops had stronger effects than the low one, and the high concentration group was better than the medium one.