RESUMO
Objective To investigate the prevention efficiency of spanishneedles herb eye drops on rabbit model with dry eye syndrome caused by sex hormones decline in peri-menopause. Methods Totally 26 rabbits ( 26 right eyes) with dry eye model were studied,and divided into two groups:group A ( the control group, n=12) and group B ( the spanishneedles herb eye drops group, n=12) ,another two rabbits were used as normal control.The Schirmer I tests (SIT), and corneal fluorescein ( FL) were detected, and the total protein content in tear, amylase activity, lactoferrin and lysozyme contents were measured and confocal scanning microscopy were performed at pre-therapy and 1 week,2 weeks,1 month,2 months after therapy,respectively. Results There were no significant difference in the total proteins,lysozyme,lactoferrin and amylase activity between two groups at pre-therapy (P>0.05).After 2 months treatment, there were statistical differences in all items of group A(P<0.05), and SIT, FL in group B(P<0.05).There were significant differences in all indexes between group A and B at 1 wk,2wk,1mo,2mo after therapy.After 2 months treatment,the mean numbers of corneal basal cell in the group B were significantly lower(3 452±422)than those in the group A ( 4 104 ± 568 ) ( P<0. 05 ) . The mean numbers of the inflammatory cells in the group B ( 42 ± 18 ) were significantly lower than those in the group A(208±69)( P<0.05). Conclusion Spanishneedles herb eye drops has significant prevention effect on dry eye syndrome caused by sex hormones decline in peri-menopause.