Therapeutic potential of glabridin and gymnemic acid alleviates eye choroidal thickness and neovascularization in diabetic model rats

Abstract

Small blood vessels in the eyes are more susceptible to injury, which can lead to complications. However, since diabetic retinopathy is often a serious clinical condition, most of this study focuses on the vascular system of the choroid. As part of this study, we looked at how gymnemic acid (from Gymnema sylvestre) and glabridin (from Glycyrrhiza glabra, or licorice) might help diabetic rats' choroid thickness and blood vessels. The aim of this study was to explore the effects of glabridin and gymnemic acid on the structural changes of the choroidal layer as well as the expression of VEGF and CD31 in diabetic rats. The animals were separated into five groups: the control group (Control), the diabetic group (DM), the diabetic rats treated with glabridin 40 mg/kg body weight (DM+GB), the diabetic rats treated with gymnemic acid 400 mg/kg body weight (DM+GM), and the diabetic rats treated with glyburide 4 mg/kg body weight (DM+GR). There was an increase in the thickness of both the choroid layer and the wall of the arteries in the diabetic group. A decrease in vascularity and choroidal neovascularization was found in DM rats. After eight weeks of experimentation, the choroidal thickness increased and the walls of choroid arteries, as well as the diameter of the lumen of choroid arteries in the DM+GB, DM+GM, and DM+GR groups, were wider. The expression of VEGF and CD31 was lower compared to the DM group. According to the findings of the current research, glabridin and gymnemic acid can reduce the damage to the choroid, which is a factor that can sometimes result in vision loss.