Piceatannol suppresses endotoxin-induced ocular inflammation in rats

Anti-inflammatory effect of piceatannol, a naturally occurring polyphenol and a potent free radical scavenger, on ocular inflammation is not known. We examined the anti-inflammatory role of piceatannol in ocular inflammatory response due to endotoxin-induced uveitis (EIU) in rats. EIU was induced in Lewis rats by subcutaneous injection of lipopolysaccharide (LPS; 150 ug/rat). Piceatannol (30 mg/kg body wt, i.p) was injected either 2 h prior to or 1 h post LPS induction. A significant increase in the number of infiltrating cells, total protein, and various cytokines and chemokines in AqH were observed in the EIU rat eyes as compared to control groups. However, pre- or post-treatment of piceatannol significantly blocked the LPS-induced changes. Further, piceatannol also suppressed the expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (Cox-2), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and activation of NF-κB in the ciliary bodies as well as retina. Further, piceatannol also inhibited the expression of Cox-2, iNOS, and phosphorylation of NF-κB in primary human non-pigmented ciliary epithelial cells (HNPECs) treated with LPS. Similarly, piceatannol also diminished LPS-induced level of NO and prostaglandin E2 in HNPECs. Thus our results demonstrate an anti-inflammatory role of piceatannol in suppressing ocular inflammation induced by endotoxin in rats.