Glaucoma and neuroprotective properties of natural substances

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Wednesday, 22 March 2023

Argomento

Glaucoma

The glaucoma is one of the leading causes of irreversible blindness worldwide. The main risk factor is identified as increased intraocular pressure, which causes damage to the optic nerve, eventually leading to severe visual field alterations. In addition to the mechanical damage caused by compression of the optic nerve, other processes such as vascular dysfunction of the eye, oxidative stress and neuroinflammation are also implicated in the pathogenesis of glaucoma. For this reason, the use of natural products that contain natural antioxidants and possess anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective properties may be a complementary approach to support the treatment of glaucoma that can be combined with pharmacological treatments.

The pathogenetic processes of glaucoma

The main cause of glaucoma, as anticipated, is mechanical damage to the optic nerve due to increased intraocular pressure. On the vascular side, however, people with glaucoma have a lower capillary density, but the capillaries are more tortuous and dilated. The resulting reduction in blood flow precedes the neurodegeneration process in glaucoma. Moreover, the production of free radicals and the resulting oxidative stress creates an inflammatory environment, which has been shown to contribute to disease progression.

Natural products in the treatment of glaucoma and their mechanism of action

In view of the role played by oxidative stress and neuroinflammation in glaucoma, the use of antioxidant substances can be a complementary approach that can be combined with traditional glaucoma therapy, which aims to reduce intraocular pressure through the use of eye drops or surgical treatment. Some natural substances, in combination with traditional therapies, can help reduce inflammation and oxidative stress, improving therapy outcomes and slowing disease progression. Let's look at some of them.

Coleus forskohlii

Coleus forskohlii is a medicinal plant native to India and South-East Asia. The leaves, roots and tubers of C. forskohlii are a rich source of forskolin, a substance that enables the reduction of intraocular pressure. Studies have proven its efficacy both as a topical treatment in the eye and in dietary supplement form. In addition, forskolin is able to counteract inflammatory processes.

Green tea

It has been shown that the extract of green tea has beneficial effects in counteracting oxidative stress and inflammation. In addition, it exhibits neuroprotective properties that may be useful in glaucoma.

Citicoline

La citicoline is a compound that acts in the biosynthesis of cell membrane-forming molecules and is also able to increase neurotransmitter levels in the central nervous system. Several studies have suggested that citicoline may have a neuroprotective effect, as it has been shown to protect cells from death (apoptosis) and to counteract the thinning of nerve fibres. Human studies in neurodegenerative visual diseases, such as glaucoma, have shown that citicoline is able to cause a reduction in retinal cell impairment.

Homotaurine

Homotaurine is a natural compound with neuromodulatory effects. It can be extracted from algae but is currently also synthesised in the laboratory. Homotaurine has a protective effect against oxidative stress. In addition, homotaurine has been observed to have a neuroprotective effect on retinal ganglion cells and, in combination with other compounds, to reduce intraocular pressure in glaucoma patients.

Vitamin B and vitamin E

Studies have reported that the intake of certain vitamins in the diet produces beneficial effects in glaucoma patients. For example, oral administration of vitamin B3 has protective effects on optic nerve degeneration. In contrast, dietary vitamin E deficiency appears to aggravate the pathological eye condition. Therefore, the use of dietary supplements with these two vitamins may be helpful in glaucoma patients, along with drug therapies.

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