OBJECTIVE To investigate the effect of Lycii Fructus-Chrysanthemi Flos herbal pair on the occurrence and progression of light source-induced myopia in guinea pigs.

METHODS The three-band fluorescent lamp was used to irradiate guinea pigs to establish a model of light source-induced myopia.Lycii Fructus-Chrysanthemi Flos herbal pair extract was added in the feed to raise guinea pigs.Ophthalmic A-type ultrasonic measuring instrument was used to detect the eye axis.HE staining was used to observe pathological damage to the retina of the guinea pigs.Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect dopamine (DA) and melatonin (MT) levels in guinea pig retinas, and transcriptomic analysis and other methods were used to explore the effects of Lycii Fructus-Chrysanthemi Flos on light-induced myopia in guinea pigs.

RESULTS After 6 weeks, compared with the normal group, the eye axis of model group guinea pigs increased significantly (P < 0.01), thus, the myopia model was successfully established.Lycii Fructus-Chrysanthemi Flos herbal pair extract could effectively slow down the thickening of the lens and the deepening of the vitreous cavity, thereby delaying the overgrowth of the eye axis in model guinea pigs.The retinal tissue of guinea pigs in the model group became thinner, the thickness and number of cells in the inner and outer nuclear layer of the retina were significantly reduced, the ganglion nuclei were sparse, the vacuolization of the ganglion cell layer was obvious.Lycii Fructus-Chrysanthemi Flos extract could protect retinal cells.The thickness and cell number of the retinal inner nuclear layer and outer nuclear layer were increased, and ganglion cell nuclei were increased.ELISA assay showed that the concentrations of DA and MT in the retina of model group guinea pigs were significantly reduced (P < 0.05), and the medium and high doses of Lycii Fructus-Chrysanthemi Flos herbal pair extract could effectively increase the concentration of dopamine in the retina and serum of guinea pigs in the model group (P < 0.01, P < 0.001).The differential genes screened by eye transcriptomics analysis were mainly enriched in PPAR signals pathway, collagen-containing extracellular matrix and other related pathways.ELISA results showed that the high dose of Lycii Fructus-Chrysanthemi Flos extract could significantly increase the content of PPARγ and COL1A1(P < 0.01) and reduce the content of SMA (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION The Lycii Fructus-Chrysanthemi Flos herbal pair extract has effects on delaying the occurrence and progression of light source-induced myopia in guinea pigs, protecting retinal cells, improving DA secretion disorders caused by artificial light environment, and regulating the level of PPAR, which has positive significance for the prevention and control of light source-induced myopia and provides a scientific basis for the rational use of drugs in clinical practice and the creation of eye health products.