AIM: To observe the mechanism of Tianma Gouteng Decoction on the protein molecular level in the optic nerve crush model rats.

METHODS: Totally 36 participants 36 male Wistar rats were divided randomly into six groups(6 in every group): normal control group, negative control group, Tianma Gouteng Decoction treatment groups(con-centrations were 0.6g/mL, 1.2g/mL, 2.4g/mL respictively)and ginkgo biloba tablets positive control group(concentrations was 1.2mg/mL). Nothing was done in the normal control group. The optic nerve of right eye in the other groups was done with the optic nerve crush model. Normal control group and negative control group was treated only with water. The average grey scale values of the N-methyl-D-aspartic acid receptor 2B(NMDA2B)receptor protein, beta - amyloid protein(Aβ)in the average grey scale values were detected.

RESULTS: The average grey scale value of Tianma Gouteng Decoction in low, medium and high dose groups about NMDA2B receptor protein was significantly less than that of the negative control group(all P<0.001), and there was no significant difference with the positive control group(P=0.092, 0.411, 0.676), the difference between normal control group and negative control group was significant(P<0.001). The high dose group of beta-amyloid's average grey scale value reduced significantly than the negative control group(P=0.030, 0.001). The low dose group than the negative control group was not obviously(P=0.614). The high dose group was not significantly different from the positive control group(P=0.927), the difference between normal control group and negative control group was significant(P<0.001).

CONCLUSION: Tianma Gouteng Decoction can go through the decrease of the NMDA2B receptor protein expression and the control of beta-amyloid deposition to reduce the retinal ganglion cell injury and apoptosis.