Effect of Guibi-Tang, a Traditional Herbal Formula, on Retinal Neovascularization in a Mouse Model of Proliferative Retinopathy

Abstract

Ocular pathologic angiogenesis is an important causative risk factor of blindness in retinopathy of prematurity, proliferative diabetic retinopathy, and neovascular macular degeneration. Guibi-tang (GBT) is a frequently used oriental herbal formula in East Asian countries, and is also called Qui-pi-tang in Chinese and Kihi-To in Japanese. In the present study, we investigated the preventive effect of GBT on retinal pathogenic neovascularization in a mouse model of oxygen-induced retinopathy (OIR). C57BL/6 mice were exposed to 75% hyperoxia for five days on postnatal day 7 (P7). The mice were then exposed to room air from P12 to P17 to induce ischemic proliferative retinopathy. GBT (50 or 100 mg/kg/day) was intraperitoneally administered daily for five days (from P12 to P16). On P17, Retinal neovascularization was measured on P17, and the expression levels of 55 angiogenesis-related factors were analyzed using protein arrays. GBT significantly decreased retinal pathogenic angiogenesis in OIR mice, and protein arrays revealed that GBT decreased PAI-1 protein expression levels. Quantitative real-time PCR revealed that GBT reduced vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2), and plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 (PAI-1) mRNA levels in OIR mice. GBT promotes potent inhibitory activity for retinal neovascularization by decreasing VEGF, FGF2, and PAI-1 levels.

Integrated Chinese Herbal Medicine and Western Medicine on the Survival in Patients with Colorectal Cancer: A Retrospective Study of Medical Records

“…Fourth, Qui Pi Tang can be used to treat amnesia, fatigue, poor memory or forgetfulness, anorexia, anemia, insomnia, palpitation, and neurosis [27]. It can also treat blood stools, Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine subcutaneous purple spots, diet reduction, pain, and severe insomnia [28][29][30].…”

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“…One of the major ingredient in GBT is decursin, which inhibited retinal neovascularization in a mouse model of retinopathy in prematurity [ 37 ]. Irrespective of the effects of GBT, information on its underlying mechanisms during retinal neovascularization is limited [ 107 ]. Lee and associates examined the effect of GBT on pathogenic retinal neovascularization in a mouse model of oxygen-induced retinopathy.…”

“…Intraperitoneal administration of GBT (50 or 100 mg/kg/day) in OIR C57BL/6 mice significantly reduced pathogenic angiogenesis of the retina, and the protein level of plasminogen activator inhibitor-I. Real-time PCR demonstrated that GBT lowered mRNA levels of VEGF, fibroblast growth factor-2, and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 in OIR mice [ 107 ]. Therefore, GBT exerts anti-angiogenic effects through partial inhibition of fibroblast growth factor-2, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 and VEGF.…”

Protective effect of water extract of guibi-tang against pulmonary inflammation induced by cigarette smoke and lipopolysaccharide

“…Water extract of guibi-tang (GB), a traditional herbal formula, is a mixture of 12 herbs and is known as Qui-Pi-tang in Chinese and Kihi-To in Japanese. [ 13 14 ]. GB has been traditionally used to treat amnesia, fatigue, insomnia, anemia, and palpitations [ 15 ].…”

“…Studies have shown that GB has various pharmacological activities, including immunoregulatory, antioxidant, and gastroprotective effects. GB inhibits ischemic retinal angiogenesis by suppressing VEGF and PAI-1 expression and exhibits apoptotic activity by regulating mitogenactivated protein kinases (MAPKs) [ 13 16 ]. However, thus far, no studies have reported the protective effects of GB against pulmonary inflammation induced by CS and lipopolysaccharide (LPS).…”