Fructus lycii ethanol extract could suppress the gene and protein expression of cathepsin B and cystatin C. However, Fructus lycii ethanol extract showed a more significant inhibitory effect on cystatin C expression compared to cathepsin B, which could increase the ratio of cathepsin B/cystatin C, favoring cathepsin B to remove the RPE sediment and promoting recovery from AMD. The gene discussed is CST3; the disease is age-related macular degeneration.