To determine whether physalin A (PA) safeguards the outer blood–retinal barrier under diabetic stress by engaging nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) to restore redox balance and restrain ferroptosis in human retinal pigment epithelial (hRPE) cells and C57BLKS/J Iar −+Leprdb/+Leprdb mice.
Results:
In high-glucose challenged hRPE cells, PA dose-dependently preserved viability, maintained claudin-1/occludin/zonula occludens-1 abundance and membrane localization, and reversed ferroptosis hallmarks (restored solute carrier family 7 member 11 [SLC7A11], SLC3A2, and glutathione peroxidase 4; reduced ferrous iron [Fe2+] overload and lipid peroxidation). PA restored glutathione levels, reduced malondialdehyde (MDA), and enhanced the antioxidant defense pathway mediated by Nrf2, including upregulation of heme oxygenase 1, NAD(P)H quinone dehydrogenase 1, and superoxide dismutase 2. Silencing Nrf2 abolished the effects of PA on barrier integrity and ferroptosis suppression, with rebounds in reactive oxygen species, MDA, Fe2+, and tight junction loss. In db/db mice treated systemically for 20 weeks, PA reduced Evans Blue leakage, increased retinal thickness, restored RPE tight junction proteins, and normalized mitochondrial architecture by transmission electron microscopy. PA rebalanced mitochondrial dynamics (dynamin 1-like, optic atrophy 1, fission 1, mitofusin 1, FUN14 domain containing 1), increased retinal mitochondrial DNA copy number, and partially stabilized glycemia and weight.
Conclusion:
PA restores redox tone, restrains ferroptosis, and preserves junctional integrity to protect the diabetic retina, with Nrf2 being indispensable for these benefits. These findings position PA as a promising adjunctive candidate for early diabetic retinopathy and support Nrf2-centered strategies to reinforce the outer blood–retinal barrier. Antioxid. Redox Signal. 45, 5–27.
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