RETRACTED: Astragaloside protects oxygen and glucose deprivation induced injury by regulation of microRNA-21 in retinal ganglion cell line RGC-5 (Retracted Article)

Objective: Astragaloside (AST) is a kind of effective components of Astragalus membranaceus, which has been reported to exert extensive pharmacological actions in various diseases. However, the effect of AST on optic nerve injury remains unclear. The study aimed to uncover the effect of AST on oxygen glucose deprivation (OGD)-induced RGC-5 cells injury and the underlying mechanism. Methods: Firstly, the model of OGD-induced RGC-5 cells injury was constructed. Then, the different doses of AST were used to treat RGC-5 cells and the regulatory effects of AST on OGD-induced cell injury were analyzed by using CCK-8, flow cytometry and western blot. Subsequently, the expression of miR-21 in OGD and AST treated cells was detected by RT-qPCR, and miR-21 mimic and inhibitor were transfected into RGC-5 cells to further uncover the effect of miR-21 on OGD-induced cell injury. The PTEN-PI3K/AKT and Wnt/beta-catenin signaling pathways were determined by western blot to clear the underlying mechanism. Results: The model of OGD induced RGC-5 cells injury was successfully constructed in vitro. AST significantly alleviated OGD-induced RGC-5 cells injury by increasing cell viability, inhibiting apoptosis and regulating cell cycle-associated factors (p16, p53, and Cyclin D1) as well as apoptosis-associated factors (Bax, cleaced-Caspase-3/-9). The expression of miR-21 was significantly up-regulated in OGD and AST-treated RGC-5 cells. The protective effect of AST on OGD-injured RGC-5 cells was further enhanced by miR-21 overexpression. Besides, AST activated PTEN-PI3K/AKT and Wnt/beta-catenin signaling pathways by regulating miR-21 in OGD-treated RGC-5 cells. Conclusions: AST protected RGC-5 cells against OGD-induced cells injury by regulating miR-21.