Rational Basis for Nutraceuticals in the Treatment of Glaucoma

Abstract

The effects of nutrients with anti-oxidant and neuroprotective properties are of great interest and nutraceuticals may offer some therapeutic potential although a further rigorous evaluation of nutraceuticals in the treatment of glaucoma is needed to determine their safety and efficacy.

A Dietary Combination of Forskolin with Homotaurine, Spearmint and B Vitamins Protects Injured Retinal Ganglion Cells in a Rodent Model of Hypertensive Glaucoma

“…The impact of diet on eye health has recently become of rapidly increasing interest for ocular pathologies and evidence is mounting that bioactive antioxidant/anti-inflammatory agents may provide the first line of biological defense against oxidative stress/inflammation. In particular, there is extensive literature demonstrating the efficacy of nutritional products against retinal cell loss of which inflammatory processes are the major triggers [15,16]. In particular, some nutrients have been proven to be capable of increasing circulation to the optic nerve, modulating excitotoxicity and promoting RGC survival [19].…”

“…In the search for neuroprotectant compounds, much attention has been recently paid to the use of nutritional supplements to counteract ocular pathologies. In both glaucoma models and glaucomatous patients, there are several indications for the efficacy of nutritional supplements in protecting retinal cells from degeneration [15,16]. For instance, dietary resveratrol or α lipoic acid are protective against RGC death in glaucoma models [17,18].…”

Protective Efficacy of a Dietary Supplement Based on Forskolin, Homotaurine, Spearmint Extract, and Group B Vitamins in a Mouse Model of Optic Nerve Injury

“…No information is available on Neumentix efficacy in degenerative pathologies of the retina, although there are indications that polyphenols, acting as anti-inflammatory and antioxidant compounds, can aid anti-glaucoma therapy by providing metabolic support to the cells involved in glaucomatous injury [54]. Among polyphenols, flavonoids demonstrate protective effects on RGC death by reducing inflammation and oxidative stress in cell culture as well as in the ONC model [22]. A recent meta-analysis has shown no significant effect of flavonoids on lowering IOP in glaucoma patients [55], thus suggesting a pure neuroprotective effect.…”

“…Homotaurine is a natural aminosulfonate compound endowed with neuroprotective effects as demonstrated in a rat model of neurodegeneration and in primary retinal cell cultured in neurotoxic conditions [59,60]. In addition, vitamin supplementation may function as potential neuroprotective agents against oxidative stress in glaucoma patients, although the association between serum vitamin levels and glaucoma prevalence in humans remains controversial [22]. In particular, low intake of vitamin B1 is associated with an increased risk of developing glaucoma indicating that diet supplements containing B vitamins may be viewed as a protective strategy to prevent RGC death [61].…”

“…In glaucoma models, for instance, long-term dietary interventions with resveratrol or α lipoic acid have been demonstrated to be protective against RGC death [20,21]. In addition, there are several indications that dietary supplementation may play a role in the treatment or prevention of human glaucomatous related pathologies [22]. Particularly, some nutrients have proven capable of lowering IOP, increasing circulation to the optic nerve, modulating excitotoxicity, and promoting RGC survival [23].…”