Bioactive materialsJun 30, 2026

Combined nanoparticle treatment may reverse age-related dry eye by reducing cell aging and oxidative stress

Longevity & Aging Weekly Brief ↗PubMed ↗DOI ↗

Updated Jul 1, 2026

Abstract

A polypeptide-based eye drop significantly improved corneal permeability and reduced oxidative stress in models of dry eye disease.

The treatment combines quercetin and superoxide dismutase in a nanocarrier to enhance therapeutic efficacy.
Quercetin functions as an anti-aging agent and aids in the effective delivery of superoxide dismutase.
The eye drop formulation showed improved outcomes compared to free superoxide dismutase.
Treatment led to restored lacrimal gland function and reversal of key symptoms associated with dry eye disease.
It effectively reduced activity associated with age-related cellular senescence in dry eye disease models.

Simplified

Dry eye disease (DED) is a prevalent, age-related ocular disorder that severely impairs vision and quality of life. Age-related cellular senescence drives disease progression through the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP), which establishes a self-perpetuating cycle of oxidative stress and chronic inflammation. However, current therapeutic options are insufficient to directly disrupt this pathogenic feedback loop. To address this, we developed a dynamically responsive polypeptide-based nanosenolytic eye drop co-encapsulating quercetin and superoxide dismutase (SOD). Quercetin serves a dual function as both an anti-aging agent and a hydrophobic motif driving nanocarrier self-assembly, enabling efficient SOD loading and pH-responsive endosomal escape. This nanoplatform demonstrated superior corneal permeability compared to free SOD, leading to suppressed oxidative stress and apoptosis, restored lacrimal gland function, and reversed key DED manifestations. Furthermore, by effectively attenuating SASP activity in aged DED models, the treatment showed profound disease-modifying efficacy. Collectively, this work establishes local nanosenolysis as a potent therapeutic strategy for multifactorial DED by simultaneously targeting oxidative damage and cellular senescence.