Protective effect of baicalin on oxidative stress injury in retinal ganglion cells through the JAK/STAT signaling pathway

Background and Purpose: The damage or apoptosis of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) is one of the leading causes of various blinding eye diseases, such as glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, optic neuritis, and ischemic optic neuropathy. Oxidative stress is involved in RGCs death. Baicalin, a flavonoid compound extracted from Scutellaria baicalensis, has various beneficial effects, including anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic, and antioxidant properties. However, the effects of baicalin on RGCs and the underlying mechanisms require further investigation. Methods: In this study, a glutamate-induced oxidative stress damage model of R28 cells and a rat retinal injury model were established to investigate the effects of baicalin on oxidative stress damage to RGCs and try to elucidate the underlying mechanism. Results: Conclusion: This study confirmed that baicalin protects against glutamate-induced oxidative stress damage in RGCs. It effectively alleviates oxidative stress and inflammatory responses, reduces cell apoptosis, and improves the pathological changes in the retina of rat models of RGCs damage, thereby decreasing RGCs death. Further exploration of its mechanism revealed that baicalin effectively inhibits the JAK/STAT signaling pathway, protecting RGCs from oxidative stress damage. This provides an experimental basis for the application of baicalin in the treatment of RGCs damage.