Ginsenoside Rg1 prevents early diabetic retinopathy via reducing retinal ganglion cell layer and inner nuclear layer cell apoptosis in db/db mice

BACKGROUND: Diabetic retinopathy (DR), a diabetic vascular complication, is prone to developing into blindness. Ginsenoside Rg1 (GRg1), a major saponin in ginseng, exerts high anti-apoptotic activity. METHODS: This study aimed to explore the protective effects of GRg1 against diabetes-induced retinal damage. Measurements of blood glucose, blood lipids and vascular permeability were performed, as well as assessments of pathological changes, and the retinal thickness of each layer. Retinal cell apoptosis related protein expression levels were measured by immunofluorescence and western blot assays. RESULTS: Our data demonstrated that GRg1 effectively reduced blood glucose and triglyceride levels and maintained normal retinal permeability and physiological structure. GRg1 maintained the thickness of the ganglion cell layer (GCL) and the inner nuclear layer (INL) by reducing cell apoptosis. CONCLUSIONS: These data strongly indicate that GRg1 prevents diabetic retinal changes by decreasing GCL and INL cell apoptosis. GRg1 may be a promising drug for early DR treatment.