Protective Effects of Radix Pseudostellariae Extract Against Retinal Laser Injury

Abstract

Background: This study aimed to analyze the protective effects of a saponin extract from Radix Pseudostellariae (RP) on retinal laser injury based on a retinal photocoagulation model. Methods: Fifty-eight rabbits were randomly divided into three groups: Group A (saponin extract orally), Group B (physiological saline), and Group C (control). The animals were sacrificed 1 day, 7 days, 14 days, and 30 days after photocoagulation and lesions were evaluated with fundus photography, light microscopy, and electron microscopy. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were measured, and expression levels of c-fos and Bax genes were also determined. Results: The lesion sizes in Group A were smaller than in Group B. The levels of SOD in Group B were significantly lower than in groups A and C (PConclusion: The saponin extract of RP can inhibit oxidative stress, downregulate the levels of c-fos and Bax gene expression, and inhibit apoptosis in the retina after photocoagulation.

Keywords

• Radix Pseudostellariae
• Frequency-doubled 532 nm Nd:YAG laser
• Retina