Branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO) is a common
retinal vascular disorder leading to
visual impairment. Currently, the general strategies for BRVO are symptomatic
therapies. Cardiovascular aspects are essential risk factors for BRVO. The
traditional Chinese medicine hexuemingmu (HXMM), consisting of
tanshinol and
baicalin, dilates the vasculature and accelerates microcirculation. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the efficacy and possible mechanism of HXMM in a BRVO rat model established by
laser photocoagulation. Successful BRVO rat models were treated with different doses of HXMM. Fundus photography and
fluorescein fundus angiography (FFA) of the animals were applied. The
retinal layers were measured by optical coherence tomography (OCT). Full-field electroretinography (ffERG) was applied to evaluate the
retinal function. The ear vein flow velocity was measured via a microcirculation detector. The expression of the
vascular endothelial growth factor (
VEGF-α) was measured via western blotting and immunofluorescent staining. Our study found that
retinal edema predominantly occurred in the inner nuclear layer (INL) and outer nuclear layer (ONL). The
retinal edema of the treated groups was significantly relieved in the early stage of BRVO as visualized via OCT detection and HE staining. The amplitudes of the b wave and oscillatory potentials (OPs) waves of ffERG in the treated groups were increased compared with those of the control group at several detection points (3, 5, 7, 10, 14, and 21 d postocclusion). The expression of
VEGF-α was reduced in the treated groups at an early stage of BRVO. Furthermore, the ear vein flow velocity of the HXMM treatment groups was faster than that of the control group. Thus, our study indicates that the
traditional Chinese medicine HXMM could ameliorate
retinal edema and rescue the
retinal structure and function in BRVO models through promoting occluded vein recanalization, improving microcirculation, and regulating the expression of
VEGF-α.