Antioxidants Derived from Natural Products Reduce Radiative Damage in Cultured Retinal Glia to Prevent Oxidative Stress

Retinal pathologies have been heavily studied in response to radiation and microgravity, including spaceflight-associated neuro-ocular syndrome (SANS), which is commonly developed space flight. SANS has characterized clinical studies of astronauts returning Earth includes a range symptoms, such as globe flattening, optic-disc edema, retinal folds, ischemia. In cases insult, Müller glia (MG) cells respond via neuroprotective gliotic responses that may become destructive produce glial scarring vison loss over time. pathology further impacted by the production excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS) stimulate inflammation furthers gliosis MG. Neuroprotectants derived from natural products (NPs) able scavenge excess ROS mitigate long-term, garnered recent interest, especially among mature aging adults. The antioxidants aloin ginkgolide A flavonoids, Aloe vera Ginkgo biloba species, respectively, particular interest due their use other nervous-system studies. current study examined MG behaviors different doses time measuring changes morphology, survival, within microscale assays. was enhanced using galactic cosmic rays (GCR) at Brookhaven NASA Space Radiation Laboratory simulate ionizing low- high-radiation parameters. Changes survival radiation-treated were then measured varying dosage NPs. Our used vitro systems evaluate potential NPs reduce oxidative stress retina, highlighting underexplored interplay between NP endogenous both terrestrially.