2. Academic Validation
  3. AFG Ameliorates Diabetic Retinopathy through AMPK-Dependent Autolysosomal Pathway: From Network Pharmacology to In Vivo and In Vitro Validation

AFG Ameliorates Diabetic Retinopathy through AMPK-Dependent Autolysosomal Pathway: From Network Pharmacology to In Vivo and In Vitro Validation

  • J Agric Food Chem. 2026 Jan 21;74(2):2124-2139. doi: 10.1021/acs.jafc.5c10713.
Rui-Yi Hu 1,  Wenya Su 1,  Si-Min Qi 2,  Hui Shi 3,  Yinan Zheng 1,  Shan Tang 1,  Shuang Liu 4,  Zi Wang 1,  Wei Li 1
Affiliations

Affiliations

  • 1 College of Chinese Medicinal Materials, Jilin Provincial International Joint Research Center for the Development and Utilization of Authentic Medicinal Materials, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun 130118, China.
  • 2 School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin N.T., Hong Kong SAR 999077, China.
  • 3 The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun 130021, China.
  • 4 Goldenwell Biotechnology, Inc., Reno 89501, United States.
PMID: 41493960 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.5c10713
Abstract

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a sight-threatening microvascular complication of diabetes. This study investigates the protective effects and mechanisms of arginyl-fructosyl-glucose (AFG) (a hypoglycemic component from red ginseng) against DR. Utilizing network pharmacology and experimental models (HFD/STZ-induced mice and high-glucose-stimulated retinal cells), we demonstrate that AFG alleviates retinal injury by activating AMPK-driven autolysosome biogenesis. This core mechanism inhibits VEGF-mediated vascular hyperpermeability to preserve the blood-retinal barrier while also promoting autophagic flux, reducing lysosomal membrane permeabilization, and ultimately curtailing Apoptosis. Our research results systematically clarify the various actions of AFG on DR, supporting its potential as a novel therapeutic candidate.

Keywords

AMPK; arginyl-fructosyl-glucose; autophagy; diabetes retinal damage; lysosome.

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