AIM:To investigate the effect of ginsenoside-Rg3 on the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF) and tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α) in retina with diabetic rats and its roles in preventing neovascularization in diabetes. METHODS:Sixty male Wistar rats were divided into 3 groups randomly:negative control group,diabetic control group and ginsenoside-Rg3 treatment group (5mg/kg,0.2mg/mL) followed by establishing diabetic model.The expression of VEGF and TNF-αwere measured after 8 weeks. RESULTS:There were significant differences among negative control group,diabetic control group and ginsenoside-Rg3 treatment group in the expression of VEGF and TNF-α(F= 129.363,211.992;all the P<0.01). VEGF and TNF-αexpression were significantly higher in diabetic control group and ginsenoside-Rg3 treatment group than that in negative control group(P<0.01),with a significant reduction in ginsenoside-Rg3 treatment group than that in diabetic control group(P<0.01). CONCLUSION:Ginsenoside-Rg3 can down-regulate the expression of VEGF and TNF-αin retina,which may interfere in the development of diabetic retinopathy.