Facilitation of Retinal Function Recovery by Natural Products After Temporary Ischemic Occlusion of Central Retinal Artery

Abstract

The b-wave of electroretinogram (ERG) was used as an indicator of the retinal function in this research to study the facilitation of retinal function recovery by some natural products isolated from medicinal plants. The retinal ischemia was induced by occlusion of the central retinal artery. It was found that the recovery of b-waves was limited to approximately 30-37% in control animals, whereas the b-wave recovery was doubled by natural products, including scoparone, corylifolinin and EGCG (epigallocatechin-3-0-gallate). Lespedeza flavanone A had biphasic action by suppressing the b-wave recovery below control level initially, then enhancing the b-wave recovery over the control rate later. These results indicate that some natural products could be used for the treatment of ischemic retinopathy.