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Updated: Aug 7, 2025
Inducement and Evaluation of a Murine Model of Experimental Myopia
Published on: January 22, 2019
Ginkgo biloba extracts improve choroidal circulation leading to suppression of myopia in mice
Jing Hou1,2, Kiwako Mori1,2, Shin-Ichi Ikeda1,2
1Department of Ophthalmology, Keio University School of Medicine, 35 Shinanomachi, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, 160-8582, Japan.
Abstract:
Myopia is becoming more common across the world, necessitating the development of preventive methods. We investigated the activity of early growth response 1 (EGR-1) protein and discovered that Ginkgo biloba extracts (GBEs) activated EGR-1 in vitro. In vivo, C57BL/6 J mice were fed either normal or 0.0667% GBEs (200 mg/kg) mixed chow (n = 6 each), and myopia was induced with - 30 diopter (D) lenses from 3 to 6 weeks of age. Refraction and axial length were measured by an infrared photorefractor and an SD-OCT system, respectively. In lens-induced myopia mice, oral GBEs significantly improved refractive errors (- 9.92 ± 1.53 D vs. - 1.67 ± 3.51 D, p < 0.001) and axial elongation (0.22 ± 0.02 mm vs. 0.19 ± 0.02 mm, p < 0.05). To confirm the mechanism of GBEs in preventing myopia progression, the 3-week-old mice were divided into normally fed with either myopic-induced or non-myopic-induced groups and GBEs fed with either myopic-induced or non-myopic-induced groups (n = 10 each). Choroidal blood perfusion was measured with optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA). In both non-myopic induced groups, compared to normal chow, oral GBEs significantly improved choroidal blood perfusion (8.48 ± 15.75%Area vs. 21.74 ± 10.54%Area, p < 0.05) and expression of Egr-1 and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) in the choroid. In both myopic-induced groups, compared to normal chow, oral GBEs also improved choroidal blood perfusion (- 9.82 ± 9.47%Area vs. 2.29 ± 11.84%Area, p < 0.05) and was positively correlated with the change in choroidal thickness. These findings suggest that GBEs may inhibit the progression of myopia by improving choroidal blood perfusion.
Insights
Ginkgo biloba extracts (GBEs) show promise in preventing myopia progression by activating early growth response 1 (EGR-1) protein. GBEs improved refractive errors and axial elongation in mice, suggesting a potential therapeutic role.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Pharmacology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Myopia prevalence is increasing globally, necessitating novel preventive strategies.
- Early growth response 1 (EGR-1) protein activity is implicated in myopia development.
- Ginkgo biloba extracts (GBEs) have demonstrated in vitro activation of EGR-1.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the efficacy of Ginkgo biloba extracts (GBEs) in preventing and treating myopia progression in a mouse model.
- To elucidate the underlying mechanisms of GBEs' action, focusing on EGR-1 activation and choroidal blood perfusion.
Main Methods:
- Lens-induced myopia model in C57BL/6J mice.
- Oral administration of GBEs (0.0667% mixed chow).
- Measurement of refractive error, axial length, and choroidal blood perfusion using infrared photorefractor, SD-OCT, and OCTA, respectively.
- Assessment of Egr-1 and eNOS expression in the choroid.
Main Results:
- Oral GBEs significantly improved refractive errors and reduced axial elongation in lens-induced myopia mice.
- GBEs enhanced choroidal blood perfusion in both non-myopic and myopic-induced groups.
- GBE administration increased Egr-1 and eNOS expression in the choroid, correlating positively with choroidal thickness changes.
Conclusions:
- Ginkgo biloba extracts demonstrate significant potential in inhibiting myopia progression.
- GBEs may exert their protective effects by enhancing choroidal blood perfusion and activating the EGR-1 pathway.
- These findings support GBEs as a potential therapeutic agent for myopia prevention.
