Triamcinolone acetonide suppressed scar formation in mice and human hypertrophic scar fibroblasts in a dose-dependent manner.

A hypertrophic scar is a complex medical problem. The study of triamcinolone acetonide for the treatment of scars is necessary. The 7mm full-thickness skin wounds were created on the back of BALA/c mice to construct the animal scar model. The different doses of triamcinolone acetonide injection or normal saline were injected into the wound on the 15th, 30th and 45th day after the operation. The skin histopathological changes of mice were observed by Hematoxylin-Eosin (H&E) staining. The proteins and mRNA expression level of scar-biomarkers (COL1, COL3, α-SMA) in mice scar tissue were detected by western blot and qRT-PCR. Besides, the effect of triamcinolone acetonide on the proliferation, invasion, and migration of human hypertrophic scar fibroblast (hHSFs) in vitro was also explored by cck-8, transwell and wound healing assays. After triamcinolone acetonide was injected into the wound, the proportion of scar was significantly reduced, and the treatment effect was concentration-dependently. H&E staining showed that the skin histopathological of mice was improved dose-dependently after injecting the low/middle/high-dosage of triamcinolone acetonide. The proteins and mRNA expression levels of COL1, COL3, and α-SMA were reduced dose-dependently in mice scar tissue. Furthermore, triamcinolone acetonide dose-dependently suppressed the proliferation, invasion, and migration of hHSFs in vitro. Together, triamcinolone acetonide suppressed scar formation in mice and human hypertrophic scar fibroblasts in a dose-dependent manner, phenotypically and mechanistically. The research and further exploration of triamcinolone acetonide in treating scar formation may find new effective treatment methods for the scar.

An Insight into the Essential Role of Carbohydrate-Binding Modules in Enzymolysis of Xanthan.

To date, due to the low accessibility of enzymes to xanthan substrates, the enzymolysis of xanthan remains deficient, which hinders the industrial production of functional oligoxanthan. To enhance the enzymatic affinity against xanthan, the essential role of two carbohydrate binding modules-MiCBMx and PspCBM84, respectively, derived from Microbacterium sp. XT11 and Paenibacillus sp. 62047-in catalytic properties of endotype xanthanase MiXen were investigated for the first time. Basic characterizations and kinetic parameters of different recombinants revealed that, compared with MiCBMx, PspCBM84 dramatically increased the thermostability of endotype xanthanase, and endowed the enzyme with higher substrate affinity and catalytic efficiency. Notably, the activity of endotype xanthanase was increased by 16 times after being fused with PspCBM84. In addition, the presence of both CBMs obviously enabled endotype xanthanase to produce more oligoxanthan, and xanthan digests prepared by MiXen-CBM84 showed better antioxidant activity due to the higher content of active oligosaccharides. The results of this work lay a foundation for the rational design of endotype xanthanase and the industrial production of oligoxanthan in the future.

Exploration of dilated cardiomyopathy for biomarkers and immune microenvironment: evidence from RNA-seq.

BACKGROUND: The pathogenic mechanism of dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) remains to be defined. This study aimed to identify hub genes and immune cells that could serve as potential therapeutic targets for DCM. METHODS: We downloaded four datasets from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database: GSE141910, GSE3585, GSE42955 and GSE79962. Weighted gene coexpression network analysis (WGCNA) and differential expression analysis were performed to identify gene panels related to DCM. Meanwhile, the CIBERSORT algorithm was used to estimate the immune cells in DCM tissues. Multiple machine learning approaches were used to screen the hub genes and immune cells. Finally, the diagnostic value of the hub genes was assessed by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis. An experimental mouse model of dilated cardiomyopathy was used to validate the bioinformatics results. RESULTS: FRZB and EXT1 were identified as hub biomarkers, and the ROC curves suggested an excellent diagnostic ability of the above genes for DCM. In addition, naive B cells were upregulated in DCM tissues, while eosinophils, M2 macrophages, and memory CD4 T cells were downregulated in DCM tissues. The increase in two hub genes and naive B cells was validated in animal experiments. CONCLUSION: These results indicated that FRZB and EXT1 could be used as promising biomarkers, and eosinophils, M2 macrophages, resting memory CD4 T cells and naive B cells may also affect the occurrence of DCM.

Improvement of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) germination by application of biochar leacheate in steeping solution to upgrade malt quality.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate an improvement of barley germination by application of biochar leacheate in the steeping solution for upgrading malt quality. RESULTS: Barley germination was improved when biochar leacheate was used in the steeping water during the first steeping cycle. A clear decrease in the time to reach 50% of final germination percentage was detected due to an addition of biochar leacheate, but no significant difference was observed in the percent germination at the end of germination. Hydrolase activities including α-amylase, proteinase and ß-glucanase in barley grains were maximally increased during the malting process when 10% biochar leacheate was added to the first steeping water. The wort yielding indexes including both glucose and maltose content and the free amino nitrogen content were significantly increased but the ß-glucan content was significantly decreased at a level of p < 0.05 when 10% biochar leacheate was added to the steeping water. CONCLUSIONS: Biochar leacheate could be used as a stimulator in the steeping solution during the first steeping cycle to improve barley germination and so upgrade malt quality.

Paradoxical embolism after surgery for breast cancer: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Paradoxical embolism (PDE) presented with concomitant pulmonary embolism (PE) and renal artery embolism (RAE) which occurred to breast cancer patient after breast-conserving therapy, has never been reported. CASE PRESENTATION: A 55-year-old female with breast cancer exhibited unexplained hypoxemia, followed with vomiting, diarrhea, unilateral flank pain and abdominal pain after lumpectomy 12 h. The urgent multi-detector row computed tomography (MDCT) confirmed the diagnosis of PE and RAE. Confusingly, the patient had no history of intracardiac defect, cardiac valvular diseases, atrial fibrillation or other cardiovascular disease and the definite cause was still unclear. However, after 10 days of prompt anticoagulant therapy in ICU, she was discharged in good condition. CONCLUSION: Breast cancer patients after surgery suffering from unexplained hypoxemia, abdominal pain, vomiting and diarrhea should be highly suspicious of PE or RAE, even PDE. Any clinical presentation on these postoperative patients should be given much more attention to make accurate diagnosis and appropriate interventions.

[Exploration on origin of Simiao Yong'an Decoction].

Simiao Yong'an Decoction is composed of Lonicerae Japonicae Flos, Scrophulariae Radix, Angelicae Sinensis Radix, Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizome, which was chosen as one of the 100 classic prescriptions in Catalogue of Ancient Classics Prescription(the first batch). Through tracing to the source, It was found that the Simiao Yong'an Decoction(but not named) originated from the Shi Shi Mi Lu, and was later cited by books such as Ancient and Modern Book Integration-Full Record of Medical Department and New Edition of Useful Prescriptions. Literature shows that this prescription was not named until first reported in the Effect of Traditional Chinese Medicine on Arterial Embolism Gangrene in 1956 by a journalist LYU Min. This article recorded that SHIJIA Baoshan, a monk from Hebei Province, used self-named "Simiao Yong'an Decoction" to treat local arterial embolic gangrene. After comparison, there was two difference between ancient books and SHIJIA Baoshan's records. Firstly, according to ancient books, the composition and dosage of Simiao Yong'an Decoction is Lonicerae Japonicae Flos 90 g, Scrophulariae Radix 90 g, Angelicae Sinensis Radix 60 g, Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizome 30 g", and the ratio is 3∶3∶2∶1. By SHIJIA Baoshan's record, the composition and dosage are: Lonicerae Japonicae Flos 66 g, Scrophulariae Radix 132 g, Angelicae Sinensis Radix 99 g, Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizome 33 g, and the ratio changed to 2∶4∶3∶1. Secondly, ancient books show that patients can be healed after taking seven or ten days of the previous prescription, however, it would take 3 or 4 months, even 7 months in SHIJIA Baoshan's records. It can be considered that the previous prescription should be used at the beginning of gangrene, while the modified Simiao Yong'an Decoction by SHIJIA Baoshan is widely used in the middle and late stages of gangrene, even the critical condition, that is the reason for longer treatment and larger dosage. Nowadays, Simiao Yong'an Decoction is not limited to the treatment of gangrene and bulla in clinic. Relevant studies have confirmed that Simiao Yong'an Decoction has the effects such as anti-inflammatory, plaque stabilization, lipid-lowering, vascular protection, improvement of hemorheology, anticoagulation, inhibition of thrombosis and fibrinolysis, etc. In the follow-up, we should carry out the analysis of the compatibility of this four medicines, and redefine the scope of its clinical application under the theory of traditional Chinese medicine.

Efficient elimination of Cr(VI) from aqueous solutions using sodium dodecyl sulfate intercalated molybdenum disulfide.

In recent years, the heavy metal ions have been immoderately released into the ecological system and result in potential hazardous to public health. Herein, the sodium dodecyl sulfate intercalated molybdenum disulfide (SDS-MoS2) was synthesized for the adsorption of Cr(VI). The SDS molecule was flat and vertically intercalated into the interlayer of MoS2, which was further evidenced by density functional theory calculations. The capture of Cr(VI) on the sphere-like SDS-MoS2 relied on solution pH. The retention of Cr(VI) on SDS-MoS2 attained 63.92 mg/g, and the removal process was endothermic, spontaneous and increased with temperature increasing. The main removal mechanism of Cr(VI) onto SDS-MoS2 was Cr(VI) fixing on the surface of the composites by chemisorption involving possible Cr-S coordination bonding. More importantly, Cr(VI) passed into the increased interlamination and reacted at the interlamination of SDS-MoS2, which was further proved at molecular level. The results can provide critical information for the application of SDS-MoS2 in Cr(VI) elimination or other kinds of pollutants removal in natural aquatic environment.

Enhancing the production of phenolic compounds during barley germination by using chitooligosaccharides to improve the antioxidant capacity of malt.

OBJECTIVE: To enhance the production of phenolic compounds during barley germination using chitooligosaccharide as an elicitor to improve the antioxidant capacity of malt. RESULTS: When used as an elicitor for barley germination, chitooligosaccharide with a molecular weight of 3 kDa, added at 10 mg/kg barley kernels during the first steeping cycle, led to the maximum production of phenolic compounds. Compared with the control with no chitooligosaccharide added to the steeping water, the total phenolic content was increased by 54.8%. Increases in the total phenolic content of the barley malt occurred when chitooligosaccharide was applied during the first or both the first and the second steeping cycles. Thus the antioxidant capacity of barley malt was increased significantly by adding chitooligosaccharide during the steeping process. CONCLUSION: Applying chitooligosaccharides during the steeping process increased the content of phenolic compounds thus improving the antioxidant capacity of the barley malt.

Application of chitooligosaccharides as antioxidants in beer to improve the flavour stability by protecting against beer staling during storage.

OBJECTIVE: To improve beer flavour stability by adding chitooligosaccharides that prevent formation of staling compounds and also scavenge radicals in stale beer. RESULTS: Chitooligosaccharides, at 0.001-0.01%, inhibited the formation of staling compounds in forced aged beer. The formation of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural, trans-2-nonenal and phenylacetaldehyde were decreased by 105, 360 and 27%, respectively, when compared with those in stale beer without chitooligosaccharide addition. The capability of chitooligosaccharides to prevent staling compound formation depended on their molecular size (2 or 3 kDa). The DPPH/hydroxyl radical scavenging activity in fresh beer significantly lower than that in forced aged beer in the presence of chitooligosaccharides. When compared with stale beer without added chitooligosaccharides, the radical scavenging activity could be increased by adding chitooligosaccharides to forced aged beer. CONCLUSIONS: Chitooligosaccharides play an active part in the prevention of beer flavour deterioration by inhibiting the formation of staling compounds and increasing radical scavenging activity.

Enhanced germination of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) using chitooligosaccharide as an elicitor in seed priming to improve malt quality.

OBJECTIVES: To study enhanced barley germination by chitooligosaccharide as an elicitor for improving the quality of malt. RESULTS: Barley germination for both radical and leaf sprouts was enhanced when chitooligosaccharide was added to the steeping water in the first steeping cycle. The activities of hydrolases (α-/ß-amylase, proteinase and ß-glucanase) and antioxidases (superoxide dismutase and catalase) in the resultant malt were increased in a dose-dependent manner when chitooligosaccharide was supplemented in the steeping water. Maximal promotion was at 1 mg chitooligosaccharide/l for α-/ß-amylase and proteinase, and at 10 mg/l for ß-glucanase, superoxide dismutase and catalase. Malt quality, including free α-amino nitrogen content, Kolbach index, malt extract content, diastatic power, wort viscosity and the ratio of glucose, maltose and maltotriose, was significantly improved by chitooligosaccharide in seed priming at 1 mg/l. CONCLUSION: Application of chitooligosaccharide in the steeping water promotes barley germination and improves the quality of malt.

The use of chitooligosaccharide in beer brewing for protection against beer-spoilage bacteria and its influence on beer performance.

OBJECTIVES: To identify a biological preservative that can protect beer from microbial contamination, which often results in the production of turbidity and off-flavor. RESULTS: The antimicrobial activity of a chitooligosaccharide against beer-spoilage bacteria and its effect on the fermentation performance of brewer's yeast was studied. Chitooligosaccharide with an average 2 kDa molecular weight was the best at inhibiting all tested beer-spoilage bacteria. The application of chitooligosaccharide in the brewing process did not influence the fermentation of brewer's yeast. The change in beer performance induced by the contamination of Lactobacillus brevis could be effectively controlled by application of chitooligosaccharide in the beer brewing process. CONCLUSION: The experimental data suggested that chitooligosaccharide should be an excellent preservative to inhibit beer-spoilage bacteria in the brewing process and in the end product.

Invertase Suc2-mediated inulin catabolism is regulated at the transcript level in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

BACKGROUND: Invertase Suc2 was recently identified as a key hydrolase for inulin catabolism in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, whereas the Suc2 activity degrading inulin varies greatly in different S. cerevisiae strains. The molecular mechanism causing such variation remained obscure. The aim of this study is to investigate how Suc2 activity is regulated in S. cerevisiae. RESULTS: The effect of SUC2 expression level on inulin hydrolysis was investigated by introducing different SUC2 genes or their corresponding promoters in S. cerevisiae strain BY4741 that can only weakly catabolize inulin. Both inulinase and invertase activities were increased with the rising SUC2 expression level. Variation in the promoter sequence has an obvious effect on the transcript level of the SUC2 gene. It was also found that the high expression level of SUC2 was beneficial to inulin degradation and ethanol yield. CONCLUSIONS: Suc2-mediated inulin catabolism is regulated at transcript level in S. cerevisiae. Our work should be valuable for engineering advanced yeast strains in application of inulin for ethanol production.

Influence of casein hydrolysates on exopolysaccharide synthesis by Streptococcus thermophilus and Lactobacillus delbrueckii ssp. bulgaricus.

BACKGROUND: A lot of interesting research has been undertaken to enhance the yield of exopolysaccharides (EPS) produced by lactic acid bacteria (LAB). The objective of this study was to determine the influence of casein hydrolysates (CH) with molecular weight less than 3 kDa on cell viability, EPS synthesis and the enzyme activity involved in EPS synthesis during the co-culturing of Streptococcus thermophilus and Lactobacillus delbrueckii ssp. bulgaricus in MRS broth for 72 h at 37 ± 0.1 °C. RESULTS: The highest EPS yield (150.1 mg L⁻¹) was obtained on CH prepared with papain (CHP) at 48 h. At 24 h, EPS were composed of galactose, glucose and rhamnose in a molar ratio of 1.0:2.4:1.5. The monosaccharide composition changed with extension of the fermentation time. The activities of α-phosphoglucomutase, uridine 5'-diphosphate (UDP)-glucose pyrophosphorylase and UDP-galactose 4-epimerase were associated with EPS synthesis. Moreover, the activities of ß-phosphoglucomutase and deoxythymadine 5'-diphosphate (dTDP)-glucose pyrophosphorylase involved in rhamnose synthesis were very low at the exponential growth phase and could not be detected during other given periods. CONCLUSION: The influence of different CH (<3 kDa) on LAB viability, EPS production, EPS monomeric composition and activity levels of key metabolic enzymes was distinct. Besides, their influence was related to the distribution of amino acids.

Mendelian randomization study on insulin resistance and risk of hypertension and cardiovascular disease.

Observational studies have suggested that insulin resistance (IR) is associated with hypertension and various cardiovascular diseases. However, the presence of a causal relationship between IR and cardiovascular disease remains unclear. Here, we applied Mendelian randomization (MR) approaches to address the causal association between genetically determined IR and the risk of cardiovascular diseases. Our primary genetic instruments comprised 53 SNPs associated with IR phenotype from a GWAS of up to 188,577 participants. Genetic association estimates for hypertension and venous thromboembolism (VTE) were extracted from UK Biobank, estimates for atrial fibrillation (AF) were extracted from the hitherto largest GWAS meta-analysis on AF, estimates for heart failure were extracted from HERMES Consortium, estimates for peripheral artery disease (PAD) and aortic aneurysm were extracted from the FinnGen Study. The main analyses were performed using the random-effects inverse-variance weighted approach, and complemented by sensitivity analyses and multivariable MR analyses. Corresponding to 55% higher fasting insulin adjusted for body mass index, 0.46 mmol/L lower high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and 0.89 mmol/L higher triglyceride, one standard deviation change in genetically predicted IR was associated with increased risk of hypertension (odds ratio (OR) 1.06, 95% CI 1.04-1.08; P = 1.91 × 10-11) and PAD (OR 1.90, 95% CI 1.43-2.54; P = 1.19 × 10-5). Suggestive evidence was obtained for an association between IR and heart failure (OR per SD change in IR: 1.19, 95% CI 1.01-1.41, P = 0.041). There was no MR evidence for an association between genetically predicted IR and atrial fibrillation, VTE, and aortic aneurysm. Results were widely consistent across all sensitivity analyses. In multivariable MR, the association between IR and PAD was attenuated after adjustment for lipids (P = 0.347) or BMI (P = 0.163). Our findings support that genetically determined IR increases the risk of hypertension and PAD.

Experimental study of the biological properties of nmHA-SiO2 fiber materials prepared by electrospinning technology.

To study the biocompatibility of nanohydroxyapatite (nmHA)-SiO2 fiber material and its efficacy in guided bone regeneration. ① The cytotoxicity of the nmHA-SiO2 fiber material to MC3T3-E1 cells was determined by CCK-8 assay. The adhesion of cells on the surface of the material was observed. ② Bone defects were prepared in the skull of three groups of New Zealand white rabbits. The following treatments were administered: implantation of nmHA-SiO2, implantation of Bio-Oss, and no treatment. The defects were then covered with nmHA-SiO2 membrane or Hai'ao oral repair membrane. Animal samples were analyzed by gross observation, micro-computed tomography, hematoxylin-eosin staining and Masson staining. The data were statistically analyzed by multivariate analysis of variance to evaluate the repair of bone defects. ① The nmHA-SiO2 fiber material has suitable biocompatibility. ② The nmHA-SiO2 fiber material performed more effectively as a barrier membrane than other bone substitute materials in GBR model rabbits.

Pretreatment of chitin depolymerization by expansin-like protein to improve hydrolysis efficiency.

Chitin is a polysaccharide similar to cellulose that contains abundant hydrogen bonds. Expansin-like proteins disrupt hydrogen bond networks, causing cellulose to swell and accelerating its degradation. We examined the effects of pretreatment with two expansin-like proteins, CxEXL22 (Arthrobotrys sp. CX1) and HcEXL (Hahella chejuensis), on chitin depolymerisation and enzymatic degradation. The efficiency of chitin degradation increased more than two-fold after pretreatment with expansin-like proteins. Following pretreatment with expansin-like proteins, chitin had a lower crystallinity index, greater d-spacing and crystallite size, and weaker hydrogen bonds, and the loosened porous microfibrils were more exposed than in untreated chitin. The rupture characterisation of crystalline chitin indicated that expansin-like proteins loosened the hydrogen bonds of the chitin polysaccharide chains, causing significant depolymerisation to expose more porous structures and enhance chitin accessibility.

Quorum quenching enzymes and their application in degrading signal molecules to block quorum sensing-dependent infection.

With the emergence of antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria, the available options for treating bacterial infections have become very limited, and the search for a novel general antibacterial therapy has received much greater attention. Quorum quenching can be used to control disease in a quorum sensing system by triggering the pathogenic phenotype. The interference with the quorum sensing system by the quorum quenching enzyme is a potential strategy for replacing traditional antibiotics because the quorum quenching strategy does not aim to kill the pathogen or limit cell growth but to shut down the expression of the pathogenic gene. Quorum quenching enzymes have been identified in quorum sensing and non-quorum sensing microbes, including lactonase, acylase, oxidoreductase and paraoxonase. Lactonase is widely conserved in a range of bacterial species and has variable substrate spectra. The existence of quorum quenching enzymes in the quorum sensing microbes can attenuate their quorum sensing, leading to blocking unnecessary gene expression and pathogenic phenotypes. In this review, we discuss the physiological function of quorum quenching enzymes in bacterial infection and elucidate the enzymatic protection in quorum sensing systems for host diseases and their application in resistance against microbial diseases.

Combination system of full-scale constructed wetlands and wetland paddy fields to remove nitrogen and phosphorus from rural unregulated non-point sources.

Constructed wetlands (CWs) have been used effectively to remove nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) from non-point sources. Effluents of some CWs were, however, still with high N and P concentrations and remained to be pollution sources. Widely distributed paddy fields can be exploited to alleviate this concern. We were the first to investigate a combination system of three-level CWs with wetland paddy fields in a full scale to remove N and P from rural unregulated non-point sources. The removal efficiencies (REs) of CWs reached 57.3 % (37.4-75.1 %) for N and 76.3 % (62.0-98.4 %) for P. The CWs retained about 1,278 kg N ha(-1) year(-1) and 121 kg P ha(-1) year(-1). There was a notable seasonal change in REs of N and P, and the REs were different in different processing components of CWs. The removal rates of wetland paddy fields adopt "zero-drainage" water management according to local rainfall forecast and physiological water demand of crop growth reached 93.2 kg N ha(-1) year(-1) and 5.4 kg P ha(-1) year(-1). The rice season had higher potential in removing N and P than that in the wheat season. The whole combined system (0.56 ha CWs and 5.5 ha wetland paddy fields) removed 1,790 kg N year(-1) and 151 kg P year(-1), which were higher than those from CWs functioned alone. However, another 4.7-ha paddy fields were needed to fully remove the N and P in the effluents of CWs. The combination of CWs and paddy fields proved to be a more efficient nutrient removal system.

Narrow UVB-Emitted YBO3 Phosphor Activated by Bi3+ and Gd3+ Co-Doping.

Y0.9(GdxBi1-x)0.1BO3 phosphors (x = 0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8, and 1.0, YGB) were obtained via high-temperature solid-state synthesis. Differentiated phases and micro-morphologies were determined by adjusting the synthesis temperature and the activator content of Gd3+ ions, verifying the hexagonal phase with an average size of ~200 nm. Strong photon emissions were revealed under both ultraviolet and visible radiation, and the effectiveness of energy transfer from Bi3+ to Gd3+ ions was confirmed to improve the narrow-band ultraviolet-B (UVB) (6PJ→8S7/2) emission of Gd3+ ions. The optimal emission was obtained from Y0.9Gd0.08Bi0.02BO3 phosphor annealed at 800 °C, for which maximum quantum yields (QYs) can reach 24.75% and 1.33% under 273 nm and 532 nm excitations, respectively. The optimal QY from the Gd3+-Bi3+ co-doped YGB phosphor is 75 times the single Gd3+-doped one, illustrating that these UVB luminescent phosphors based on co-doped YBO3 orthoborates possess bright UVB emissions and good excitability under the excitation of different wavelengths. Efficient photon conversion and intense UVB emissions indicate that the multifunctional Gd3+-Bi3+ co-doped YBO3 orthoborate is a potential candidate for skin treatment.

Bergenin alleviates Diabetic Retinopathy in STZ-induced rats.

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is the key cause of blindness and visual impairment in diabetes patients around the world. The high levels of oxidative stress in diabetes patients cause diabetic retinopathy. In addition to being an antioxidant, Bergenin also works as an immunosuppressant, an anti-inflammatory, and anticarcinogenic against hepatocarcinoma. This study examined the effects of Bergenin on diabetic retinopathy rats, using Streptozotocin (STZ) intraperitoneally to induce diabetes in rats. The animals were divided into four groups (n = 6), including a normal control (Group I), diabetic control (Group II), Bergenin (25 mg/kg) (Group III), and metformin (350 mg/kg) (Group IV). As previously mentioned, each animal received treatment for 60 days. To induce DR, rats were administered STZ (60 mg/kg) intraperitoneally for 60 days. Standard methods were utilized to measure the body weight of rats, blood glucose levels. We measured lipid profiles (Triglycerides, cholesterol, LDL, and HDL), inflammatory markers, and antioxidant levels with their respective kits. Analysis of retinal tissue morphometry and MMP-9, VEGF, and MCP-1 levels in serum was performed. Our research examined the expression levels of target genes (TNF-α, IL-1ß, and IL-6) using RT-PCR analysis. STZ-induced animals that were treated with Bergenin had less food intake, lower blood glucose, and improved body weight. Bergenin significantly suppressed levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, cholesterol, TG, LDL, AI, MMP-9, VEGF, and MCP-1 and increased the level of HDL and antioxidant enzymes in STZ-induced DR rats. As well as increasing antioxidant levels, reducing retinal thickness, and increasing cell numbers, Bergenin also lessened DR remarkably. The results of this study demonstrated that Bergenin effectively inhibited STZ-induced DR in rats.