AIM: To observe the effects of Liuwei Dihuang Tang on the expression levels of ferritin, recombinant solute carrier family 7 member 11(SLC7A11), glutathione(GSH), and glutathione peroxidase 4(GPX4)in retinal of aging model rats.

METHODS: A total of 45 SD rats were randomly divided into a blank group, a model group, and a traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)group, with 15 rats in each group. The blank group was intraperitoneally injected with physiological saline, while the model group and TCM group were intraperitoneally injected with D-galactose \〖500 mg/(kg·d)\〗. At the same time, the TCM group was orally administered with Liuwei Dihuang Tang \〖6.75 g/(kg·d)\〗, while the blank group and model group were orally administered with equal volume of physiological saline for 8 consecutive wk. The expression levels of ferritin, SLC7A11, GSH, and GPX4 in the retinal tissues of rats in each group were detected.

RESULTS: The expression of ferritin in the retinal tissue of the model group was increased compared to the blank group(P<0.05), while the expression of GSH, SLC7A11, and GPX4 was reduced(P<0.05). The expression of GSH, SLC7A11, and GPX4 in the retina tissue of rats in the TCM group was higher than that in the model group(P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS: Liuwei Dihuang Tang may exert a delaying effect on retinal aging by regulating the ferroptosis pathway.