AIM: To discuss the antagonistic role of traditional Chinese medicine leaf of xingding extract-the ginkgo biloba injection on endothelin(ET) in diabetic retinopathy(DR) patients. METHODS: A total of 58 DR patients were enrolled in the study, DR patients were administered with 25mL ginkgo-dipyridamolum injection which was dissolved in 250mL normal saline, once a day for 15 days. The ET in their peripheral blood was measured before and after treatment. RESULTS: The mean value of plasma ET before treatment was 78.32pg/mL (reference value: 37.91-68.37pg/mL) and the highest value was 105.68pg/mL. The mean plasma ET level after treatment was 59.57pg/mL, which averagely decreased 18.75pg/mL as compared with that before the treatment. There was a significant difference between them(P<0.05). CONCLUSION: The ginkgo biloba injection can effectively decrease the plasma ET level of DR patients, which has a therapeutic effect on DR.