Hesperetin rescues retinal oxidative stress, neuroinflammation and apoptosis in diabetic rats

► Hesperetin inhibits expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α and IL-1β) in diabetic retina. ► Hesperetin protects hyperglycaemia-induced photoreceptor and neural degeneration. ► Hesperetin prevents hyperglycaemia-induced retinal apoptosis. ► Hesperetin prevented thickening of BM in diabetic retina.