Effects and mechanisms of water-soluble Semen cassiae polysaccharide on retinitis pigmentosa in rats

Abstract This study aimed to investigate the effects and mechanisms of water-soluble Semen cassiae polysaccharide (SCP) on retinitis pigmentosa (RP) in rats. One hundred rats were randomly divided into control, model, and 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg SCP groups. The 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg SCP groups were treated with 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg SCP for 5 days, respectively. On the sixth day, the model, and 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg SCP groups were treated with N-nitroso-N-methylurea (MNU). After 12 h and 5 days, the electroretinogram, retinal thickness, apoptosis of retinal photoreceptor cells, and expressions of apoptosis related protein in retina tissue were determined. Results showed that, after 12 h and on 5 days from MNU treatment, compared with model group, the a-wave and b-wave amplitude and retinal thickness in SCP groups were significantly increased, the apoptosis rate of retinal photoreceptor cells was significantly decreased, the Bcl-2 protein expression level in retinal tissue was significantly increased, and the Bax and Caspase-3 protein level were significantly decreased (all P < 0.05). In conclusion, SCP has obvious protective effects on RP in rats. The mechanism may be related to it regulation of Bcl-2, Bax and Caspase-3 protein expression in retina tissue.