Amelioration of diabetic retinopathy in db/db mice by treatment with different proportional three active ingredients from Tibetan medicine Berberis dictyophylla F.

摘要: ABSTRCT Ethnopharmacological relevance Berberis dictyophylla F., a famous Tibetan medicine, has been used to prevent and treat diabetic retinopathy (DR) for thousands of years in clinic. However, its underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Aim the study The present was designed probe synergistic protection involved berberine, magnoflorine berbamine from F. on spontaneous retinal damage db/db mice. Materials methods 14-week model DR mice were randomly divided into eight groups: group, calcium dobesilate (CaDob, 0.23 g/kg) group groups 1–6 (different proportional three active ingredients F.). All intragastrically administrated continuous 12 weeks. Body weight fasting blood glucose (FBG) recorded measured. Hematoxylin-eosin periodic acid–Schiff (PAS) stainings employed evaluate pathological changes abnormal angiogenesis retina. ELISA performed assess levels IL-6, HIF-1α VEGF serum. Immunofluorescent staining applied detect protein CD31, VEGF, p-p38, p-JNK, p-ERK NF-κB In addition, mRNA expression Bax Bcl-2 retina monitored by qRT-PCR analysis. Results Treatment with different exerted no significant effect weight, but decreased FBG, increased number ganglionic cells restored internal limiting membrane. results PAS demonstrated that drug treatment ratio endothelial pericytes while thinned basal membrane vessels. Moreover, these can markedly downregulate CD31 serum VEGF. gene also suppressed. p-JNK proteins treatment. Finally, reversed proinflammatory factors proapoptotic expression, antiapoptotic expression. Conclusions These indicated be ameliorated potential vascular may inhibiting phosphorylation MAPK signaling pathway, thus decreasing inflammatory apoptotic events.