the potential of plant-based products to serve as neuroprotectants in glaucoma

Glaucoma is characterized by retinal ganglion cell (rgc) death. this is often linked to elevated intraocular pressure (iop) and oxidative stress. this paper investigated the potential of natural products to serve as neuroprotective agents in glaucoma management. using relevant keywords, literature published between 2013 and 2023 was systematically searched via pubmed, google scholar, and sciencedirect. to be included, the literature was limited to studies examining natural ingredients with neuroprotective effects in glaucoma. meanwhile, it was excluded when, among other things, it was written in a non-english and its full text could not be accessed. analysis of the 14 included studies revealed that natural compounds such as ginkgo biloba, resveratrol, curcumin, and coenzyme q10 confer neuroprotection through several key mechanisms. the most consistent mechanisms identified were the attenuation of oxidative stress and the inhibition of apoptotic pathways in rgcs. furthermore, many compounds demonstrated significant anti-inflammatory effects and enhanced mitochondrial function and ocular blood flow. the evidence, however, remains predominantly preclinical, with a limited number of human trials. the findings indicate that natural products hold promise as adjunctive therapies for glaucoma by targeting multiple pathways of rgc degeneration. future research must prioritize clinical trials to validate these preclinical findings, address challenges related to bioavailability, and determine long-term efficacy and safety in patients.