ABSTRACT
Object: To investigate the protective effect of Qizhi hypoglycemic tablets on eye diseases in strepto- zotocin-induced diabetic rats and explore its possible mechanism. Methods: Streptozotocin was used to prepare diabetic model in rats. The diabetic model rats were given Qizhi hypoglycemic tablets(780 mg/kg),metformin hydrochloride tab- lets(200 mg/kg)or glibenclamide tablets(1.5 mg/kg)via intragastric administration once a day for three months,and the dynamic changes in eye diseases were investigated. The examined index included blood glucose level,lens opacity, serum levels of aspartate aminotransferase(AST)and alanine aminotransferase(ALT),retina expression of collagen, matrix metalloproteinase-2(MMP-2)and tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase-1(TIMP-1). Network pharmacology was used to analyze protective mechanism. Results: Compared with the normal group,the model rats showed significant hyperglycemia(P0.05). Compared with the model group,Qizhi hypogly- cemic tablets also had hypoglycemic effect(P<0.05),which could improve hyperglycemia,polyuria and emaciation (P<0.01),significantly reduce the degree of retinal turbidity(P<0.01)and up-regulate the expression of retinal Colla- genand TIMP-1(P<0.01). According to the network pharmacology analysis,Qizhi hypoglycemic tablets could regu- late the cell proliferation and apoptosis via VEGF and MAPK signals. Conclusion: Qizhi hypoglycemic tablets could im- prove the ophthalmic disease in diabetic rats,which might be a promising medicine for the treatment of diabetic ophthal- mic disease.