Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory for the Prevention and Treatment of Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology Diseases with Traditional Chinese Medicine, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, Hunan, 410208, China; Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Diagnostic Research in Chinese Medicine, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, Hunan, 410208, China.
Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory for the Prevention and Treatment of Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology Diseases with Traditional Chinese Medicine, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, Hunan, 410208, China.
J Ethnopharmacol. 2021 Jun 12;273:113993. doi: 10.1016/j.jep.2021.113993. Epub 2021 Mar 5.
Fructus Lycii and Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge (FS) are popular Chinese herbs for the treatment of retinitis pigmentosa (RP).
This study was to evaluate protective effects of FS extract on RP and to explore whether FS extract exerts its protective effects via oxidative stress by regulating Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway.
FS extract were identified by UPLC chromatographic analysis. Rd10 mice as the model of RP, followed by a 4-week FS extract treatment by intragastric administration. After the animal sacrifice, histopathological examination and Scotopic electroretinography (ERG) analysis were assessed. The oxidative stress markers were determined and the expression levels of Nrf2 and HO-1 mRNA were evaluated by qRT-PCR. The expression and distribution of Nrf2 and HO-1 protein were determined by Western blot and immunohistochemistry.
The morphological changes of Outer nuclear layer (ONL) thickness and number of the ONL were observed with a significant increased, and the functional changes of a-amplitude and b-wave amplitude were measured with a markedly increased. Treatment with FS extract remarkably increased levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), and decreased level of malondialdehyde (MDA). Moreover, FS extract up-regulated mRNA and protein expression of Nrf2 and HO-1.
This study indicated that FS extract can improve retinal morphology and function, which may have occurred through the regulation of the Nrf2/HO-1 pathway to inhibit the oxidative reaction.
枸杞和丹参（FS）是中国治疗色素性视网膜炎（RP）的常用草药。
本研究旨在评估 FS 提取物对 RP 的保护作用，并探讨 FS 提取物是否通过调节 Nrf2/HO-1 信号通路来发挥其保护作用，从而减轻氧化应激。
采用 UPLC 色谱分析鉴定 FS 提取物。采用 Rd10 小鼠作为 RP 模型，通过灌胃给予 FS 提取物进行为期 4 周的治疗。动物处死后，进行组织病理学检查和暗适应视网膜电图（ERG）分析。测定氧化应激标志物，并通过 qRT-PCR 评估 Nrf2 和 HO-1 mRNA 的表达水平。采用 Western blot 和免疫组织化学法测定 Nrf2 和 HO-1 蛋白的表达和分布。
观察到外核层（ONL）厚度和 ONL 细胞数量的形态变化明显增加，a 波和 b 波振幅的功能变化明显增加。FS 提取物治疗可显著提高超氧化物歧化酶（SOD）和谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶（GSH-Px）水平，降低丙二醛（MDA）水平。此外，FS 提取物上调了 Nrf2 和 HO-1 的 mRNA 和蛋白表达。
本研究表明，FS 提取物可改善视网膜形态和功能，这可能是通过调节 Nrf2/HO-1 通路抑制氧化反应而实现的。
