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

INTRODUCTION: This study investigated the protective effects of baicalin on retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) subjected to ischemia-reperfusion injury and explored the underlying mechanisms. METHODS: 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. RESULTS: 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. CONCLUSION: This study reveals that baicalin protects RGCs by modulating microglial polarization and inhibiting ferroptosis, providing novel insights for the treatment of glaucoma.