Abstract:
Eye is a sensory organ designed for human vision. Its intricate components work
together to make the process of sight possible. The cornea is a critical part of the eye
responsible for clear vision, and corneal diseases or injuries can lead to visual impairment
or blindness. However, the limited availability of suitable donor tissue poses a significant
challenge. There is a significant influence on the quality of life when the visual acuity is
reduced. In terms of the overall prevalence of blindness and visual impairment Pakistan
ranks third position, following the India and Bangladesh across all age groups, totaling
21.78 million. Placenta-derived extracellular matrix (ECM) sheets have become an
effective therapeutic approach due to their rich composition of bioactive molecules, growth
factors, and supportive microenvironment for tissue regeneration. The unique composition
of placental-derived ECM sheets can provide a favorable microenvironment for the growth
of corneal cell and promote the regeneration of corneal tissue. In this study amniotic
membrane sheets, have been prepared by decellularizing placental tissue and different
characterization techniques have been used for a thorough examination of the human
amniotic membrane. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) reveals intricate surface
features, while Hematoxylin and Eosin (H&E) staining provides insights into tissue
architecture. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) offers a detailed
examination of biochemical composition. Microbial activity testing provides valuable
information of the membrane's antimicrobial properties. A p-value < 0.05 in the ANOVA
analysis indicated a significant difference in antimicrobial activity among the three
bacterial strains. The characterization approaches utilized in this study contribute to a better knowledge of the biological characteristics of the human amniotic membrane, paving the
path for advances in regenerative medicine and tissue engineering. In this study a human
placental-derived extracellular matrix (ECM) sheets have been used to investigate the
integration potential of the ECM sheets with host corneal tissue. The positive outcome was
associated with a noticeable reduction in size of corneal defect due to the application of
amniotic membrane transplant. The use of AM proved to be essential in reducing notable
subjective symptoms like pain, as well as clinical signs such as redness and the size of
corneal ulcers.
