# Baicalin protects retinal ganglion cells by regulating microglial polarization and ferroptosis via the JAK2/STAT3 pathway

## TL;DR

Baicalin helps protect retinal cells by changing microglia behavior and reducing cell death, offering new treatment ideas for glaucoma.

## Contribution

The study shows baicalin protects retinal ganglion cells via microglial polarization and ferroptosis inhibition through the JAK2/STAT3 pathway.

## Key findings

- Baicalin suppresses M1 microglial polarization and promotes M2 polarization.
- Baicalin reduces oxidative stress and ferroptosis in retinal ganglion cells.
- The protective effects are mediated through inhibition of the JAK2/STAT3 pathway.

## Abstract

This study investigated the protective effects of baicalin on retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) subjected to ischemia-reperfusion injury and explored the underlying mechanisms.

By establishing an in vitro model of oxygen-glucose deprivation/reperfusion (OGD/R) in a microglia-RGC co-culture system, we examined the protective role of baicalin against RGC injury.

The results demonstrated that baicalin significantly suppressed the M1 polarization of microglia, promoted their shift toward M2 polarization, and alleviated oxidative stress and ferroptosis in RGCs by inhibiting the JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway.

This study reveals that baicalin protects RGCs by modulating microglial polarization and inhibiting ferroptosis, providing novel insights for the treatment of glaucoma.