Astragalin, a natural flavonoid glycoside found in various plants such as Kaempferia galanga and Moringa oleifera, has attracted interest for its potential therapeutic effects in diabetic retinopathy (DR). Several preclinical studies have explored Astragalin's effects on pathways relevant to DR, including oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis in retinal cells. For example, research published in International Immunopharmacology (2017) demonstrated that Astragalin could suppress high glucose-induced oxidative damage and inflammatory cytokine production in retinal pigment epithelial cells. Another study in Life Sciences (2019) reported that Astragalin administration reduced retinal vascular leakage and inhibited the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in diabetic animal models, suggesting protective effects on the blood-retinal barrier.

However, current evidence supporting Astragalin's use in diabetic retinopathy remains limited to laboratory and animal studies. There are no published clinical trials or robust human data confirming its efficacy or safety for this specific condition. Thus, while there is a scientific rationale and some preclinical support, the overall level of evidence is still low, and further research—including clinical trials in humans—is needed before Astragalin can be recommended for diabetic retinopathy in clinical practice.