Astragalus root extract inhibits retinal cell apoptosis and repairs damaged retinal neovascularization in retinopathy of prematurity

Abstract

Since the functions of Astragalus root extract in retinopathy remain to be unraveled, this study is performed to elucidate whether Astragalus root extract functions in retinal cell apoptosis and angiogenesis in retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). Newborn mice were selected for establishing mice models of oxygen-induced retinopathy (OIR), which were treated with high-, medium-or low-Astragalus root extract. Evans Blue (EB) was perfused to detect the blood retinal barrier. Additionally, the vascular morphology, number of endothelial cell nuclei of neovascularization, proliferation of blood vessels, ultrastructural changes were determined via a series of assays. Moreover, levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), expression of other factors such as VEGF, PEDF, IGF-1, HIF-1α, Bax, Bcl-2, eNOS, nNOS, and iNOS were detected. Astragalus root extract was found to protect blood-retinal barrier in the OIR model mice through repairing the structure and morphology of retina, inhibiting ROS production, retinal cell apoptosis, as well as improving retinal vascular angiogenesis. Astragalus root extract was also found to decrease VEGF and HIF-1α expression, but enhance PEDF and IGF-1 expression in the OIR model mice, thereby protecting retinas in ROP. This study highlights that Astragalus root extract is able to suppress retinal cell apoptosis and repair damaged retinal neovascularization in ROP, which provides basis for ROP therapy.

Effect of Gradient Nanostructured Ti on Behaviours of MG63 Cells In Vitro

“…Wang et al reported that the main functions of osteoblasts which induced from stem cells were to synthesize bone matrix and promote mineralization of the matrix to form bone tissue [30]. The excellent osteoblast proliferation ability could accelerate the occurrence of osteointegration on the surface of the materials [31]. Yuan et al reported that osteoblast apoptosis was related to bone reconstruction in multiple parts of the body.…”

Potential Effects of Nutraceuticals in Retinopathy of Prematurity

“…They act as anti-angiogenic agents to directly inhibit VEGF production and reduce avascular and neovascular areas after treatments. Other plant extracts including Aster koraiensis extract, Astragalus root extract, and Cnidium officinale extract also exert beneficial effects after OIR, resulting in vascular protection and the inhibition of angiogenic agents release [ 76 , 77 , 78 ]. It is important to remember that these are plant extracts but not a pure compound and thus contain other compounds that are present inside the plant.…”