Objective:To investigate the effect of Fructus Tribulus (TTL) on photoreceptor cell apoptosis and impaired retina in the mouse model of bright light-induced retinal degeneration. MethodsBALB/c mice were randomly divided into normal control group,bright light-exposed group and TTL-treated group. After dark adaptation for 24 h,bright light was applied at the intensity of 10 000 Lux for 30 min. Totally 100 μl of TTL decoction (100 mg per 20 g body mass) was intraperitoneally administered 30 min prior to bright light exposure in the TTL-treated group. The normal control group and the bright light-exposed group were intraperitoneally injected with the same amount of 0.9%NaCl solution. ①Eyes were enucleated 1 d and 3 d later and subjected to frozen section for the detection of apoptotic cells using TUNEL assay. ②The retinal function of mice was measured by electroretinogram (ERG) 6 d after bright light exposure.  Results:①In the normal control group,TUNEL staining was negative in the photoreceptor cell nucleus of outer nuclear layer. Compared with the normal control group,the TUNEL positive photoreceptor cells in the outer nuclear layer of retina increased significantly on the 1st day and reached the peak at the 3rd day after light injury in bright light-exposed group(P<0.001). Compared with the bright light-exposed group,only a few scattered TUNEL positive photoreceptor cells were found in the outer nuclear layer in the TTL-treated group(P<0.05). ②ERG revealedthat the amplitudes of a-wave and b-wave were significantly depressed in the bright light-exposed group compared with those in the normal control group(P<0.05). In contrast,the amplitudes of a-wave and b-wave in TTL-treated group were significantly higher than those in the bright light-exposed group(P<0.05).  Conclusion:sTribulus terrestris L. can significantly reduce photoreceptor cell apoptosis induced by light injury,and has protective effect on retinal function in mice.