The Ameliorative Action of Qiju Dihuang Decoction for Experimental Retinal Degeneration Rats

Objective:To observe the ameliorative effect of Qiju Dihuang decoction for N-methyl-N-nitrosourea(MNU)-induced retinal degeneration rats.Method:Sprague Dawley(SD) rats were divided into three groups: the control group,the model group and the Qiju Dihuang decoction group.After intraperitonal injected by the compound MNU,all SD rats were turned into retinal degeneration models.Every rat was tested by flash electroretinograms(FERG) at scheduled time points.The photoreceptor cells apoptosis was marked with terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase mediated dUTP-digoxigenin nick end labeling(TUNEL).The thickness of outer nuclear layer(ONL) was measured by HE coloration.Result:Compared with the model control group,the Qiju Dihuang decoction can obviously sustain the FERG pattern of rats for a long time,remarkably reduce the apoptotic indexes and add the thickness of ONL.Conclusion:The Qiju Dihuang decoction can protect MNU-induced apoptosis of photoreceptor cells.