The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of Lycopus lucidus Turcz (LT) on diabetic retinopathy (DR) and its underlying mechanisms. SD rats and human retinal microvascular endothelial cells (HRECs) were applied for establishment DR model. HE and TUNEL staining were used to evaluate the pathological changes and apoptosis of retinal ganglion cells. Additionally, retinal vessels were detected by immunofluorescence staining with CD31 and VEGF. The function of BRB was observed using Evans blue. Moreover, the oxidative stress, inflammation and angiogenesis associated factors were measured respectively. The expression of p38-MAPK/NF-κB signalling proteins were detected by Western blot. The results demonstrated that pathological changes and retinal optic disc cells apoptosis in retinas of diabetic rats, both of which were reduced in the LT-treated group. And LT treatment attenuated the levels of oxidative stress, inflammation and angiogenesis factors. Importantly, the expression levels of p-p38, p-ERK, p-JNK and NF-κB were decreased. After treatment with TNF-α combined with LT, the levels of inflammatory factors were decreased but higher than the negative control. Taken together, the results suggested that LT treatment is of therapeutic benefit by ameliorating oxidative stress, inflammation and angiogenesis of DR via p38-MAPK/NF-κB signaling pathway.
Keywords: Diabetic retinopathy; NF-κB; angiogenesis; inflammation; p38.