Yi Qi Cong Ming Decoction control the progression of lens-induced myopia in rats by modulating the cAMP/PKA/HIF-1α pathway.

BACKGROUND

Myopia has emerged as a global public health concern. Current therapeutic strategies primarily target symptom management. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) demonstrates potential in myopia prevention and control, yet its underlying mechanisms remain incompletely understood.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to investigate the preventive and therapeutic effects of Yiqi Congming Decoction (YQCM) on lens-induced myopia (LIM) in rats and to elucidate whether its efficacy involves the inhibition of the cAMP/PKA/HIF-1α signaling pathway to intervene in scleral remodeling, thereby delaying myopia progression.

METHODS

The chemical composition of YQCM was identified using high performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-time of flight tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS). A LIM rat model was established and divided into preventive-administration and therapeutic-administration groups. Axial length measurement, histological analysis, and molecular biological techniques were employed to systematically evaluate the effects of YQCM on ocular axial growth, scleral ultrastructure, and the expression of key factors within the cAMP/PKA/HIF-1α pathway.

RESULTS

YQCM significantly suppressed axial elongation. The high-dose YQCM regimen reduced the axial elongation rate by 30.3% in the prevention group and 25.8% in the treatment group, respectively. Histological analysis revealed that YQCM effectively alleviated pathological scleral thinning and promoted a more regular collagen fiber arrangement. Mechanistic studies demonstrated that YQCM markedly downregulated the expression of cAMP, PKA, and HIF-1α in the sclera, while simultaneously upregulating the levels of growth factors TGF-β1 and bFGF. This coordinated action ultimately inhibited scleral extracellular matrix degradation, promoted collagen synthesis, and delayed myopia progression.

CONCLUSION

This study demonstrates for the first time that YQCM can inhibit LIM progression in rats by modulating the cAMP/PKA/HIF-1α signaling axis and stimulating growth factor expression, thereby intervening in the scleral remodeling process. These findings indicate that YQCM represents a multi-targeted therapeutic strategy, showing promise as a potential drug candidate for myopia control.