Ginseng Extract Modified by Pectin Lyase Inhibits Retinal Vascular Injury and Blood-Retinal Barrier Breakage in a Rat Model of Diabetes

J Med Food. 2019 Apr;22(4):337-343. doi: 10.1089/jmf.2018.4256. Epub 2019 Feb 20.

Abstract

GS-E3D is an enzymatically modified ginseng extract by pectin lyase. In this study, we evaluated the preventive effects of GS-E3D on blood-retinal barrier (BRB) leakage in a rat model of diabetes. To produce diabetes, rats were injected with streptozotocin. GS-E3D was orally gavaged at 25, 50, and 100 mg/kg body weight for 6 weeks. We then compared the effect of GS-E3D with that of an unmodified ginseng extract (UGE) on retinal vascular leakage. The administration of GS-E3D significantly blocked diabetes-induced BRB breakdown. Immunofluorescence staining showed that GS-E3D reduced the loss of occludin in diabetic rats. In TUNEL staining, the number of apoptotic retinal microvascular cells was dose dependently decreased by GS-E3D treatment. GS-E3D decreased the accumulations of advanced glycation end products in the retinal vessels. In addition, the inhibition potential of GS-E3D on BRB breakage was stronger compared with UGE. These results indicate that GS-E3D could be a beneficial treatment option for preventing diabetes-induced retinal vascular injury.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Biocatalysis
  • Blood-Retinal Barrier / drug effects*
  • Blood-Retinal Barrier / injuries
  • Blood-Retinal Barrier / metabolism
  • Diabetic Retinopathy / drug therapy*
  • Diabetic Retinopathy / metabolism
  • Glycation End Products, Advanced / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Panax / chemistry*
  • Plant Extracts / administration & dosage*
  • Plant Extracts / chemistry*
  • Polysaccharide-Lyases / chemistry*
  • Rats
  • Rats, Sprague-Dawley
  • Retinal Vessels / drug effects*
  • Retinal Vessels / injuries
  • Retinal Vessels / metabolism

Substances

  • Glycation End Products, Advanced
  • Plant Extracts
  • Polysaccharide-Lyases
  • pectin lyase