Physcion prevents induction of optic nerve injury in rats via inhibition of the JAK2/STAT3 pathway.

Optic nerve injury is a type of neurodegenerative disease. Physcion is an anthraquinone that exerts a protective role against various diseases. However, its function in regulating optic nerve injury remains largely unknown. An in vitro model of optic nerve injury was established in HAPI cells treated with IFN-β. Functional assays were used to detect HAPI cell viability and apoptosis. The levels of inflammation and the expression levels of oxidative stress-related genes were measured in HAPI cells. In addition, western blot analysis was used to detect the expression levels of Janus kinase 2 (JAK2)/STAT3-linked genes in HAPI cells. Treatment of the cells with physcion prevented cells against IFN-β-induced neuronal injury. Physcion restrained IFN-β-induced inflammatory response and oxidative stress in HAPI cells. In addition, it improved IFN-β-induced injury in HAPI cells by suppressing the JAK2/STAT3 pathway. In conclusion, the present study revealed that physcion improved optic nerve injury in vitro by inhibiting the JAK2/STAT3 pathway. Physcion may be a promising therapeutic target for the treatment of this disease.