The Chinese medicine formula HB01 reduces choroidal neovascularization by regulating the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor.
BACKGROUND
Choroidal neovascularization (CNV) remains the leading cause of newly acquired blindness in the developed world. Currently anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) therapies are broadly used to treat neovascular ocular disorders. Here we demonstrate the effect of a traditional Chinese medicine formula, HB01, on CNV.


METHODS
A rat model of laser-induced CNV was used to investigate the effect of HB01 in vivo. The CNV lesions in the eye were evaluated using fundus fluorescein angiography and visualized/quantified using confocal microscopy. Expression of VEGF in the choroidal and retinal tissues was measured using quantitative real-time PCR and immunohistochemistry.


RESULTS
We demonstrated that a traditional Chinese Medicine formula, named HB01, significantly reduced neovascularization in a rat CNV model. The effect of HB01 on CNV was comparable to the intravitreal injection of bevacizumab (Avastin). Our results also suggested that HB01 may reduce CNV partially through inhibiting the expression of VEGF.


CONCLUSIONS
These data support HB01 as an alternative therapy for ocular neovascular disorders.
Department of Ophthalmology, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China. jinming321@yahoo.com.cn
Ming
M
Jin
Youhua
Y
Zhang
Lin
L
Pan
Renhui
R
Dou
Robert B
RB
Nussenblatt
Lai
L
Wei
D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D020256:Choroidal Neovascularization / Q000378:metabolism / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000628:therapy*; D017931:DNA Primers; D005451:Fluorescein Angiography; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D008516:Medicine, Chinese Traditional; D051381:Rats; D060888:Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000378:metabolism*
D017931:DNA Primers; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A