A study investigated the effects of triptolide on corneal cell damage induced by increased osmolality characteristic of dry eye[2]. Researchers tested triptolide on human corneal epithelial cells under laboratory conditions, comparing a no-treatment group, a triptolide group, and a triptolide-only group without hyperosmotic stress[2]. The results showed that hyperosmotic stress reduced the number of live cells to 54.47% and increased the rate of pyroptosis (a type of cell death) to 40.28%, while triptolide significantly improved these negative effects, increasing the number of live cells to 86.47% and reducing pyroptosis to 17.01%[2]. Triptolide also reduced levels of the inflammatory substances IL-1β and IL-8, which are associated with damage to the ocular surface[2]. The mechanism of action was the inhibition of the TLR4/NF-κB/NLRP3 signaling pathway, which controls inflammation and pyroptosis[2]. Triptolide had no negative effects on normal corneal cells[2]. The authors conclude that triptolide has potential in the treatment of diseases of the ocular surface caused by increased tear osmolality[2].