The thesis describes the effects of various plant flavonoids (curcumin, epigallocatechin-3-gallate [EGCG], luteolin, apigenin, myricetin, quercetin, and cyanidin) on the physiological properties and viability of cultured human retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells. It is described that, with the exception of EGCG, all flavonoids tested decrease dose-dependently the RPE cell proliferation, migration, and secretion of VEGF. Luteolin, apigenin, myricetin, and quercetin decreased the viability of RPE cells at higher concentrations, by triggering cellular necrosis. Curcumin decreased the viability of RPE cells via induction of early necrosis and delayed apoptosis. The cytotoxic effect of curcumin involved activation of caspase-3 and calpain, intracellular calcium signaling, mitochondrial permeability, oxidative stress, and increased phosphorylation of p38 MAPK and decreased phosphorylation of Akt protein. Myricetin caused caspase-3 independent RPE cell necrosis mediated by free radical generation and activation of calpain and phospholipase A2. The myricetin- and quercetin-induced RPE cell necrosis was partially inhibited by necrostatin-1, a blocker of programmed necrosis. The author concludes that the intake of curcumin, luteolin, apigenin, myricetin, and quercetin as supplemental cancer therapy or in the treatment of retinal diseases should be accompanied by careful monitoring of the retinal function. Possible beneficial effects of EGCG and cyanidin in the treatment of retinal diseases should be examined in further investigations.

The thesis describes the effects of various plant flavonoids (curcumin, epigallocatechin-3-gallate [EGCG], luteolin, apigenin, myricetin, quercetin, and cyanidin) on the physiological properties and viability of cultured human retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells. It is described that, with the exception of EGCG, all flavonoids tested decrease dose-dependently the RPE cell proliferation, migration, and secretion of VEGF. Luteolin, apigenin, myricetin, and quercetin decreased the viability of RPE cells at higher concentrations, by triggering cellular necrosis. Curcumin decreased the viability of RPE cells via induction of early necrosis and delayed apoptosis. The cytotoxic effect of curcumin involved activation of caspase-3 and calpain, intracellular calcium signaling, mitochondrial permeability, oxidative stress, and increased phosphorylation of p38 MAPK and decreased phosphorylation of Akt protein. Myricetin caused caspase-3 independent RPE cell necrosis mediated by free radical generation and activation of calpain and phospholipase A2. The myricetin- and quercetin-induced RPE cell necrosis was partially inhibited by necrostatin-1, a blocker of programmed necrosis. The author concludes that the intake of curcumin, luteolin, apigenin, myricetin, and quercetin as supplemental cancer therapy or in the treatment of retinal diseases should be accompanied by careful monitoring of the retinal function. Possible beneficial effects of EGCG and cyanidin in the treatment of retinal diseases should be examined in further investigations.