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Updated: Aug 15, 2025
Morphometric Analyses of Retinal Sections
Published on: February 19, 2012
Ginkgo biloba extracts protect human retinal Müller glial cells from t-BHP induced oxidative damage by activating the
1The University of Sydney, Sydney Pharmacy School, Faculty of Medicine and Health NSW, 2006, Australia.
Objectives:
Retinal Müller glial cell loss is almost involved in all retinal diseases, especially diabetic retinopathy (DR). Oxidative stress significantly contributes to the development of Müller glial cell loss. Ginkgo biloba extracts (GBE) have been reported to possess antioxidant property, beneficial in treating human retinal diseases. However, little is known about its role in Müller glial cells. This study investigated the protective effect of GBE (prepared from ginkgo biloba dropping pills) in human Müller glial cells against tert-butyl hydroperoxide (t-BHP)-induced oxidative stress and its underlying molecular mechanism.
Methods:
MIO-M1 cells were pretreated with or without GBE prior to the exposure to t-BHP-induced oxidative stress. Cell viability, cell death profile and lipid peroxidation were subsequently assessed. Protein expression of the key anti-oxidative signalling factors were investigated.
Key Findings:
We showed that GBE can effectively protect human MIO-M1 cells from t-BHP-induced oxidative injury by improving cell viability, reducing intracellular ROS accumulation and suppressing lipid peroxidation, which effect is likely mediated through activating AMPK-Nrf2-NQO-1 antioxidant respondent axis.
Conclusions:
Our study is the first to reveal the great potentials of GBE in protecting human retinal Müller glial cell loss against oxidative stress. GBE might be used to prevent human retinal diseases particularly DR.
Insights
Ginkgo biloba extract protects retinal Müller glial cells from oxidative stress, a key factor in diseases like diabetic retinopathy. This suggests GBE’s potential for preventing retinal damage.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Cell Biology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Retinal Müller glial cell loss is implicated in various retinal diseases, notably diabetic retinopathy (DR).
- Oxidative stress is a major contributor to Müller glial cell loss.
- Ginkgo biloba extract (GBE) exhibits antioxidant properties and potential therapeutic benefits for retinal diseases.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the protective effects of GBE on human Müller glial cells.
- To determine the molecular mechanisms underlying GBE's protection against oxidative stress.
Main Methods:
- Human MIO-M1 Müller glial cells were pretreated with GBE before exposure to tert-butyl hydroperoxide (t-BHP) induced oxidative stress.
- Assessed cell viability, cell death, and lipid peroxidation.
- Investigated the protein expression of key antioxidant signaling factors.
Main Results:
- GBE significantly protected MIO-M1 cells against t-BHP-induced oxidative injury.
- GBE improved cell viability, reduced reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation, and suppressed lipid peroxidation.
- The protective effect appears mediated by the activation of the AMPK-Nrf2-NQO-1 antioxidant response pathway.
Conclusions:
- This study demonstrates GBE's potential in protecting human retinal Müller glial cells from oxidative stress.
- GBE may serve as a preventative agent for retinal diseases, particularly diabetic retinopathy.
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