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Lycium barbarum polysaccharides attenuates N-methy-N-nitrosourea-induced photoreceptor cell apoptosis in rats through regulation of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase and caspase expression

Authors Zhu, Yafei; Zhao, Qipeng; Gao, Hua; Peng, Xiaodong; Wen, Youmin; Dai, Guidong

Journal JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY , SEP 15 2016,:191

DOI 10.1016/j.jep.2016.05.037 PubMed 27208869

Abstract Ethnopharmacological relevance: Lycium barbarum L., popularly known as Goji berry, a classic of Traditional Chinese Medicine has long been used to treat ocular diseases and cardiovascular diseases. Recently, the photoreceptor cell protection of Lycium barbarum polysaccharides (LBP), a water extract from Lycium barbarum L. has received more attention. The present study was designed to investigate the effect of LBP on N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (MNU)-induced photoreceptor cell apoptosis, and the involvement of the poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) and caspase.Materials and methods: Photoreceptor cell injury was induced in male Sprague-Dawley rats by an intraperitoneal injection of MNU 60 mg/kg. Seven days prior to MNU injection, LBP were intragastrical administered daily, rats were sacrificed at 24 h and 7 days after MNU injection. Retinal morphologies, photoreceptor cells apoptosis, and protein expression were evaluated at 24 h and 7 days after MNU injection.Results: Morphologically, the outer nuclear layer was well preserved in the LBP-treated rat retinas throughout the experimental period. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate-digoxigenin nick-end labeling (TUNEL) assays showed that LBP could significantly suppress the loss of photoreceptor cells, as determined by the photoreceptor cell ratio at the central retina 24 h and 7 days after MNU administration. Western-blot analysis demonstrated the expression levels of procaspase-9,-7,-3 and cleaved caspase-9,-7,-3 were upregulated, and PARP were downregulated both 24 h and 7 days after MNU injection. LBP treatment significantly decreased protein levels of procaspase and cleaved caspase, increased the level of PARP and cleaved PARP on 24 h and 7 days.Conclusions: LBP inhibits MNU-induced rat photoreceptor cell apoptosis and protects retinal structure via the regulation of the expressions of PARP and caspase. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Species covered 黄果枸杞 Lycium barbarum