The preventive effects of the rhodiola rosea on ischemia‐reperfusion injury in the RAT retina

Abstract

PurposeThe aim of the present study is to evaluate the preventive effects of Rhodiola Rosea, a naturally occurring antioxidant and neuroprotective, on ischemia‐reperfusion (IR) induced damage in rat retina.MethodsForty‐eight Sprague‐Dawley rats were randomly divided into 3 groups. Control group (n = 16) just received anterior chamber cannulation. IR group (n = 16) was exposed IR injury created by increased intraocular pressure. The third group (IR+T) (n = 16) received daily intraperitoneal Rhodiola Rosea extract in addition to IR injury. Rats in each group were sacrificed at 24th hour (n = 8) and 7th day (n = 8). Retinal catalase, malondialdehyde and glutathione peroxidase were measured. Retinal sections were stained with hematoxylin‐eosin. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick‐end labeling (TUNEL), TNF‐α and NF‐κB immune staining were also performed.ResultsThere was no significant difference among the groups in terms of catalase and glutathione peroxidase (p > 0.05). MDA levels were significantly higher in the IR group on 24th hours and 7th day compared to control group. There was no ganglion cell count difference between control and IR+T group at 24th hour and day 7 (p > 0.05). There were statistically significant difference between control and IR group at 24th hour and at day 7 in terms of ganglion cell counts (p = 0.001 for both). When IR and IR+T are compared, TUNEL positive cells at 24th hour were significantly higher in IR group in the ganglion cell layer and inner nuclear layer (p = 0.001 for both). NF‐κB positive cells in the ganglion cell layer and inner nuclear layer were significantly lower in IR+T group compared to IR group at 24th hour (p = 0.001 for both).ConclusionsRhodiola Rosea extract was shown to have partially preventive effects on retinal ischemia reperfusion injury in rats in terms of biochemical and histopathological outcomes.