Natural compounds and retinal ganglion cell neuroprotection.
Glaucoma, the second leading cause of blindness in the world, is a chronic optic neuropathy often associated with increased intraocular pressure and characterized by progressive retinal ganglion cell (RGC) axons degeneration and death leading to typical optic nerve head damage and distinctive visual field defects. Although the pathogenesis of glaucoma is still largely unknown, it is hypothesized that RCGs become damaged through various insults/mechanisms, including ischemia, oxidative stress, excitotoxicity, defective axonal transport, trophic factor withdrawal, and neuroinflammation. In this review, we summarize the potential benefits of several natural compounds for RGCs neuroprotection.
Department of Pharmacy and Health and Nutritional Sciences, Section of Preclinical and Translational Pharmacology, University of Calabria, Arcavacata di Rende, Italy; University Consortium for Adaptive Disorders and Head Pain (UCHAD), Section of Neuropharmacology of Normal and Pathological Neuronal Plasticity, University of Calabria, Arcavacata di Rende, Italy. Electronic address: luigimorron@libero.it.
Luigi Antonio
LA
Morrone
Department of Pharmacy and Health and Nutritional Sciences, Section of Preclinical and Translational Pharmacology, University of Calabria, Arcavacata di Rende, Italy.
Laura
L
Rombolà
Department of Health Sciences, University "Magna Graecia" of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy.
Maria Tiziana
MT
Corasaniti
Department of Pharmacy and Health and Nutritional Sciences, Section of Preclinical and Translational Pharmacology, University of Calabria, Arcavacata di Rende, Italy; University Consortium for Adaptive Disorders and Head Pain (UCHAD), Section of Neuropharmacology of Normal and Pathological Neuronal Plasticity, University of Calabria, Arcavacata di Rende, Italy.
Giacinto
G
Bagetta
Ophthalmology Unit, Department of Experimental Medicine and Surgery, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy.
Carlo
C
Nucci
Department of Pharmacy and Health and Nutritional Sciences, Section of Preclinical and Translational Pharmacology, University of Calabria, Arcavacata di Rende, Italy.
Rossella
R
Russo
D000818:Animals; D001688:Biological Products / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005901:Glaucoma / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D000066829:Neuroprotection / Q000502:physiology*; D012165:Retinal Ganglion Cells / Q000378:metabolism*
D001688:Biological Products
Glaucoma; Natural compounds; Neuroprotection; Retinal ganglion cells