Purpose: Isorhamnetin is a natural flavonoid with both antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties, but its effect on fungal keratitis (FK) remains unknown. The current study aims to investigate the antifungal and anti-inflammatory effects of isorhamnetin against mouse Aspergillus fumigatus keratitis.
Methods: In vitro, the lowest effective concentration of isorhamnetin was assessed by minimum inhibitory concentration and cytotoxicity tests in human corneal epithelial cells (HCECs) and RAW264.7 cells. The antifungal property was investigated by scanning electron microscopy and propidium iodide uptake test. The anti-inflammatory effect of isorhamnetin in HCECs and RAW264.7 cells was observed by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). In the eyes of mice with A. fumigatus keratitis, FK severity was evaluated using clinical score, plate counting, histological staining and periodic acid Schiff staining. In vivo, the anti-inflammatory effect of isorhamnetin was examined by immunofluorescence staining, myeloperoxidase assay, Western blot, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and qRT-PCR.
Results: In HCECs and RAW264.7 cells, isorhamnetin significantly inhibited A. fumigatus conidia growth and hyphae viability at 80 µg/mL without affecting cell viability. In vitro, isorhamnetin altered A. fumigatus hyphal morphology and membrane integrity. In A. fumigatus keratitis mouse model, isorhamnetin treatment alleviated the severity of FK by reducing corneal fungal load and inhibiting neutrophil recruitment. In addition, the mRNA and protein expression levels of TLR-2, TLR-4, Dectin-1, IL-1β, and tumor necrosis factor-α were significantly decreased in isorhamnetin-treated groups in vivo and in vitro.
Conclusions: Isorhamnetin improves the prognosis of A. fumigatus keratitis in mice by inhibiting the growth of A. fumigatus, reducing the recruitment of neutrophils and downregulating inflammatory factors.