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Danhong Huayu Koufuye (DHK), a traditional Chinese prescription, is used to treat central retinal vein occlusion clinically. We previously reported that DHK prevented diabetic retinopathy (DR) in rats. Moreover, we found that it protected endothelial cells from hyperglycemia-induced apoptosis through antioxidation and anti-inflammation. Here, we investigated whether antioxidative and anti-inflammatory activities of DHK contributed to its therapeutic effect on DR in streptozotocin- (STZ-) induced diabetic rats. DHK significantly blocked the breakdown of the blood-retinal barrier (BRB) and increased the thickness of the inner nuclear layer (INL), as well as suppressed the swelling of the ganglion cell layer (GCL) in diabetic retinas. DHK remarkably increased the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) in plasma, and decreased serum level of nitric oxide (NO). Moreover, DHK markedly reduced the serum levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1). Furthermore, DHK significantly downregulated protein expressions of VEGF and inducible NO synthase (iNOS) and mRNA expression of ICAM-1 in retinas. These results suggest that the antioxidative and anti-inflammatory activities of DHK may be important mechanisms involved in the protective effect of DHK on DR in STZ-induced diabetic rats.

It has been shown that oxidative damage and inflammation caused by hyperglycemia in endothelial cells are key factors triggering diabetic vascular complications. The aim of the present study was to investigate the antioxidant and anti‑inflammatory effects of Danhong Huayu Koufuye (DHK)‑medicated serum on high glucose (HG)‑induced injury in endothelial cells, and examine its underlying mechanisms. EA. hy926 cells were treated with normal glucose, HG, or HG with DHK‑medicated serum. Cell viability was assessed using the MTT method. Apoptosis was detected using flow cytometry. Intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels were measured using the 2',7'‑dichlorodihydrofluorescein method. Cell culture supernatant was collected for detecting the activities of glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and superoxide dismutase (SOD), and the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA). The protein expression levels of intercellular adhesion molecule‑1 (ICAM‑1), nuclear factor‑κB (NF‑κB), hypoxia‑inducible factor‑1α (HIF‑1α) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) were determined using western blot analysis. The results revealed that DHK‑medicated serum accelerated the proliferation and inhibited the apoptosis of cells treated with HG (P<0.01) in a dose‑dependent manner. Compared with the HG group, the high levels of ROS and MDA were significantly reduced by DHK‑medicated serum (P<0.01). A 10% concentration of DHK‑medicated serum increased the activities of SOD and GPx by 59.4 and 95.5%, respectively. The high protein expression levels of ICAM‑1, NF‑κB, VEGF and HIF‑1α were significantly ameliorated by DHK‑medicated serum (P<0.01, vs. HG group). These findings indicated that DHK‑medicated serum protected EA. hy926 cells from HG‑induced injury and apoptosis through antioxidation and anti‑inflammatory effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To further evaluate the safety of Fuganlin Oral Liquid (FGLOL) for clinical application by conducting toxicological tests in young rats. Methods: Based on the clinical dose for infants aged less than 1 year, 4-day-old Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were orally administered FGLOL3.88, 11.64 and 38.75 g crude drug/kg for 18 days, followed by a 3-week withdrawal. This was followed by evaluating the effect of FGLOL on various growth and development indicators, nerve reflex function and spontaneous behavior of the rats. Based on the clinical dose for children aged 1 - 6 years, 15-day-old rats were orally administered FGLOL3.88, 11.64 and 38.75 g crude drug/kg for 31 days, followed by a 3-week withdrawal in order to evaluate the impact of the FGLOL on the development of reproductive organs and nervous systems in young rats. The effects of FGLOL on the safety of young rats were judged based on ophthalmic examination, physical examination, spontaneous behavior and other developmental effects. Results: FGLOL did not cause animal death, and no significant toxicological changes were observed in the body weight, growth and development, and behavior of the young rats (p < 0.05). No observed adverse effect level (NOAEL) even after administering the higher dose at each stage. However, the results at each stage showed that oral administration of a large amount of FGLOL had a greater effect on normal food consumption of the rats (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The findings indicate that Fuganlin Oral Liquid, a traditional Chinese medicine formulation, is safe in rats. However, clinical trials are required to acertain its safety in humans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]