Icariside II alleviates ischemic retinopathy by modulating microglia and promoting vessel integrity

Schematic diagram of the efficacy of IRS against ischemic retinopathy. [Display omitted] •Icariside II is firstly recognized for its role in promoting the proper angiogenesis architecturally and functionally, thereby raising the possibility that intake of it can be a potentially effective treatment in ischemic retinopathy. Ischemic retinopathies (IRs) are vision-threatening diseases that affect a substantial amount of people. The current treatment options for IRs have side effects and are unable to prevent disease progression. It is therefore worthwhile to consider alternative treatments that could be safer and more efficient. Icariside II (IRS) is a metabolite icariin, derived from traditional Chinese medicine Herba Epimedii. In the oxygen-induced retinopathy (OIR) model, IRS significantly inhibited pathological angiogenesis and retinal hemorrhage dose-dependently. Its efficacy could be regulated by glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK-3β) and β-catenin, which may be critical roles in suppression of the activated microglia and exacerbation of pathologic angiogenic process. These results suggest that intake of IRS can be a potentially effective treatment in IRs via promoting the proper angiogenesis architecturally and functionally.