Objective: To observe the preventive and therapeutic effect of Jiawei Jiaotai pill on rats diabetic retinopathy and its potential mechanism. Method: The model of type 2 diabetes mellitus in rats was established by injecting streptozotocin from tail vein and feeding with high fat and high caloric diet.The rats were randomly divided into normal group

model group and Jiawei Jiaotai pill group.Rats in Jiawei Jiaotai pill group were treated by Jiawei Jiaotai pill decoction from gastric tube.The oral glucose tolerance test(OGTT)

hemoglobin (HbA1C) and the relative parameters of oxidative stress in the serum were determined after 100 days.Ultrastructural changes in the rat retina were examined under the electron microscop.The apoptosis indexe of the ganglion cells was determined with the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end labeling(TUNEL) method and the results were analyzed in a computer-picture system. Result: The fasting blood glucose

postpradial blood glucose at 1 hour(BG-1h)

postpradial blood glucose at 2 hour(BG-2h)

HbA1C and malonaldehyde (MDA) level were all increased in model group while significantly decreased nitrogen monoxide(NO)

superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity in serum compared with those in normal group.The thickness of retinal capillary basement membrane was increased in the rats of model group.The apoptosis indexe of the ganglion cells in rats of model group was apparently higher than that in rats of normal group.Compared with those in model group

FBG

BG-1h

BG-2h

HbA1C and MDA level were all decreased in rats of group treated with Jiawei Jiaotai pill while significantly increased NO

SOD and GSH-Px activity in serum.The thickness of retinal capillary basement membrane was decreased in the rats treated with Jiawei Jiaotai pill.The apoptosis indexes of the ganglion cells in rats of treated group was apparently lower than that in rats of model group. Conclusion: Jiawei Jiaotai pill can impede the progression of rat diabetic retinopathy on the early stage.The potential mechanism may be related to the ability of anti-oxidative stress and reduction of retinal ganglion cells apoptosis in diabetic rats treated with Jiawei Jiaotai pill.