Abstract
Purpose :
The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effect of ethanol extract of Rhynchosia nulubilis (EERN) on retinal damage in mice.
Methods :
Retinal damage was induced by intraperitoneal injection of N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (MNU) that causes photoreceptor damage. The mice received EEDK daily by gavage for 1 and 4 weeks after MNU injection. Retinas were examined histologically and morphometrically to determine retinal thickness, photoreceptor cell, and retinal damage. Expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), nestin, and rhodopsin protein was assessed by western blotting and immunohistochemistry.
Results :
EERN markedly reduced up-regulation of GFAP and nestin. Moreover, EERN up-regulated expression of rhodopsin against retinal damage. Morphologically, the outer nuclear layer, where photoreceptors reside, was well preserved in the EERN-treated mice retinas throughout the experimental period.
Conclusions :
These results demonstrate that EERN has protective effects against MNU-induced retinal damage, and may be considered as an agent for treating or preventing retinal degeneration.
This is an abstract that was submitted for the 2016 ARVO Annual Meeting, held in Seattle, Wash., May 1-5, 2016.