AIM: To investigate the protective effects of berberine on Sprague-Dawley(SD)rat retinal Müller cells with high concentration glucose in vitro.

METHODS: The retinal Müller cells of SD rats were primary cultured by enzyme digestion. The second generation of Müller cells were randomly divided into 7 groups. They were normal glucose concentration(5mmol/L glucose)group, high glucose concentration(25mmol/L glucose)group, high glucose+ berberine group(5, 10, 25, 50 and 100μmol/L). After cultured for 24h, 48h and 72h, the cell proliferative viability was measured by CCK-8 method.

RESULTS: After cultured for 24h, 48h and 72h, compared to the normal glucose concentration group, the absorbance of cells in the high glucose concentration group reduced significantly(All P<0.01). Compared to the high glucose concentration group, the absorbance of cells in different concentration berberine(10, 25, 50 and 100μmol/L)groups increased significantly(All P<0.05). It showed a dose-dependent effect. There was no statistically significant difference on the cells absorbance between high glucose+5μmol/L berberine group and high glucose group(P>0.05).

CONCLUSION: Berberine could reduce the inhibitory effect of high glucose on the proliferative viability of Müller cells to some extent. The intensity of effect was positively correlated with the berberine concentration.