Retinopathy remains an important complication of diabetes. This work was carried out to evaluate the
protective effects of genistein from diabetic retinopathy in rat. Fifteen adult male albino rats were divided into
two groups; Group I: control (n=5) and Group II: streptozotocin induced diabetic group (n=10), which is
equally divided into two subgroups; IIa (diabetic vehicle control) and IIb (diabetic genistein-treated). Specimens
were taken from the retina 12 weeks post induction, processed and examined using light, immunohistochemical,
ultrastructural techniques. Blood samples were assayed for the levels of glucose. In comparison with the
diabetic non-treated group, the histological changes in macro and microglial glial cells reactivity and retinal
blood capillaries were improved in genistein-treated groups. In addition, GFAP and iNOS expressions in the
retina and the blood glucose level were reduced. Genistein ameliorates the histological changes of diabetic
retinopathy reaching healing features, which resemble that of a normal retina