AIM: To study the effect of ginkgolide B on high glucose-induced human lens epithelial cell(HLEC)apoptosis.

METHODS: The high glucose-induced HLEC model was established. Different concentrations of ginkgolide B were intervened. Cell viability was assayed by MTT assay, morphology of cell apoptosis was observed by hochest33258 staining. Cell ultrastructural changes were detected by transmission electron microscopy. Expressions of apoptosis-related factors caspses-3 and caspase-9 were tested by colorimetric detection.

RESULTS: High glucose inhibited the activity of HLECs, induced apoptosis reaction of HLECs, caused high expression of apoptosis factors in cells; while ginkgolide B inhibited the decrease of cell viability induced by high glucose, decreased the HLEC apoptosis and reduced the expression of apoptosis factors Caspase-3 and Caspase-9.

CONCLUSION: Ginkgolide B may inhibit the expression of caspses-3 and caspase-9 then effectively inhibited high glucose-induced apoptosis in HLECs.