Green Tea Catechins as Therapeutic Antioxidants for Glaucoma Treatment

Glaucoma is the leading cause of irreversible blindness and visual impairment, affecting more than 80 million individuals worldwide. Oxidative stress inflammation-induced neurodegenerative insults to retinal ganglion cells are main pathogenesis glaucoma. Retinal cells, neurons transmitting signals cortex in brain, have very limited regeneration or recovery capacity after damages. Apart from intraocular pressure-lowering treatments, there still no clinically effective treatment rescue degeneration Dietary antioxidants easily accessible can be applied as supplements assisting clinical treatments. Catechins, a chemical family flavonoids, phenolic compounds found many plants, especially green tea. The anti-oxidative anti-inflammatory properties tea catechins vitro vivo been well proven. They could potential ameliorating cell In this review, chemistry, pharmacokinetics, therapeutic were summarized. Research updates on biological effects cellular animal experimental glaucoma models reviewed. addition, potentials for also highlighted.