Effects of Lycii fructus and Astragalus membranaceus Mixed Extracts on Immunomodulators and Prevention of Diabetic Cataract and Retinopathy in Streptozotocin-induced Diabetes Rat Model
This study was conducted to investigate the effects of Lycii fructus and Astragalus membranaceus mixed extracts on immunomodulators and prevention in a streptozotocin-induced diabetes rat model. A total of 28 male rats were divided into four dietary groups and fed a commercial diet (A), commercial diet plus induced diabetes by a streptozotocin (STZ) injection (B), induced diabetes by STZ plus medicinal crop extracts(I&H®) diet (C), and medicinal crop extracts (I&H®) diet (D). Immunoblotting analyses revealed cytokine expression, and ELISA analyses revealed immunoglobulin E and nitric oxide production. As a results, the tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) as a inflammatory cytokine were decreased. Interleukin-6 (IL-6) and signal transducer and activation of transcription 3 (STAT3) cytokine related in diabetes expression through JAK/STAT3 pathway were also decreased. Furthermore, immunoglobulin E and nitric oxide production were decreased in the serum and lens, respectively. These results suggest that Lycii fructus and Astragalus membranaceus mixed extracts provide positive effects on immunomodulators and prevention in diabetes and eye disease complications.