Effects of Blood Bird’s Nest on cultured rabbit corneal keratocytes

Abstract

Background:

There has been no effective treatment or agent that is available for corneal injury in promoting corneal wound healing. Previous studies on Blood Bird’s Nest extract (Blood Bird’s Nest) had reported the presence of hormone- like substance; avian epidermal growth factor that could stimulate cell division and enhance regeneration. This study aimed to investigate the effects of Blood Bird’s Nest on corneal keratocytes proliferative capacity and phenotypical changes.

Methods:

Corneal keratocytes from six New Zealand White Rabbits were isolated and cultured until Passage 1. The proliferative effects of Blood Bird’s Nest on corneal keratocytes were determined by MTT assay in serum-containing medium (FDS) and serum-free medium (FD). Keratocytes phenotypical changes were morphologically assessed and gene expression of aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH), collagen type 1 and lumican were determined through RT-PCR.

Results:

The highest cell proliferation was observed when both media were supplemented with 0.05% and 0.1% Blood Bird’s Nest. Cell proliferation was also consistently higher in FDS compared to FD. Both phase contrast micrographs and gene expression analysis confirmed the corneal keratocytes retained their phenotypes with the addition of Blood Bird’s Nest.

Conclusions:

These results suggested that low concentration of Blood Bird’s Nest could synergistically induce cell proliferation, especially in serum-containing medium. This could be a novel breakthrough as both cell proliferation and functional maintenance are important during corneal wound healing. The in vitro test is considered as a crucial first step for nutri-pharmaceutical formation of Blood Bird’s Nest-based eye drops before in vivo application.
Fadhilah Zainal Abidin1, Chua Kien Hui2, Ng Sook Luan2, Elvy Suhana Mohd Ramli1, Lee Ting Hun4 and Norzana Abd Ghafar1,3*
Source: BMC – Complimentary & Alternative Medicine

Effects of Blood Bird’s Nest on cultured rabbit corneal keratocytes

How Much Blood Bird’s Nest We should Consume

As we know, Blood Bird’s Nest is used to boost the health, to improve immunity, for anti-aging, etc. It can be used to prevent and cure many diseases. But next question is, how much should we consume? As we know, if we consume something too less or too much, the result would not be effective.
Recommended Daily or Weekly Consumption
As we have written in our article Proper Way to Consume Blood Bird’s Nest, to allow body absorb the whole nutrients from Blood Bird’s Nest, it is best to consume it on empty stomach, such as at night before bed, or as breakfast in the morning. Small and frequent dose is more recommended, as enzymes in the body will eliminate excess of protein within hours. Some source recommends 2 gram of dried Blood Bird’s Nest a day, or about 60-80 ml of Blood Bird’s Nest. It means, best consumption is about 14-16 grams weekly.
Different Requirements
However, different dosage might be needed for several other cases, such as for pregnant women, children, or menopause women. Besides, it is also should be determined by one’s need and financial position.
For pregnant woman, Blood Bird’s Nest can be consumed 2-5 times weekly, at around maximum 5 grams each time. While for children, some dosages might be different, possibly more for children with weak physique or those who have just embarked on learning. However, for menopause women, Blood Bird’s Nest can be consumed with combination with 9 grams of tremella for each 6 grams of Blood Bird’s Nest.
For Cure or Prevention?
Besides taking care of the health and preventing any sickness, Blood Bird’s Nest is also suitable for the cure. Zhejiang, a nutritionist, said that Blood Bird’s Nest becomes the most suitable nutritional supplement for patients who have just recovered from or surgery. Blood Bird’s Nest will bring a lot of natural essence to speed up the recovery process.