Inhibitory Effect of Chrysin (5,7-Dihydroxyflavone) on Experimental Choroidal Neovascularization in Rats

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of chrysin on laser-induced experimental choroidal neovascularization (CNV) in a rat model. Methods: Male brown Norway rats were anesthetized, and a diode laser was used to break Bruch's membrane. One week later, each rat was intravitreally injected with 5 μl of 15 mg/ml chrysin, and CNV development was determined by fluorescein angiography at 2 weeks. The effect of chrysin on experimental CNV was assessed by fluorescein angiography and histology. Results: Two weeks after laser treatment, the intensity of fluorescein leakage from the photocoagulated lesions decreased significantly compared with the control group (p = 0.044). When the lesions were categorized into low- and high-leakage groups, there was a significant correlation between chrysin treatment and degree of leakage (p = 0.028). Compared with the chrysin-treated group, the relative risk of developing high-leakage lesions in the control group was 3.18. The mean CNV thickness was significantly thinner in chrysin-treated eyes than in control eyes (34.13 ±.0.88 vs. 37.76 ± 0.90 μm, p = 0.005). Conclusion: Chrysin has an inhibitory effect on CNV in an experimental rat model, indicating that chrysin should be further evaluated for its potential as a therapy for CNV in age-related macular degeneration and in other vision-threatening conditions associated with CNV.