Neuroprotective effects of resveratrol on retinal ganglion cells in
glaucoma: Focusing on oxidative stress, cellular, and molecular
mechanisms
Abstract
Retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) are the major cells that are damaged in
glaucoma leading to vision loss and blindness. The damage to RGCs in
glaucoma is caused by various mechanisms such as elevated intraocular
pressure, oxidative stress, inflammation, and other neurodegenerative
processes. As the disease progresses, more and more RGCs are lost,
leading to a gradual loss of vision. Therefore, protecting RGCs from
damage and promoting their survival is an important goal in the
treatment of glaucoma. Resveratrol (RES) exerts anti-oxidant effects and
slows down the evolution and progression of glaucoma. This review was
prepared using databases such as Google Scholar, PubMed, Scopus, and
ScienceDirect. Based on the findings of this review, RES has a
protective role on RGCs in cases of ischemic injury and hypoxia as well
as ErbB2 protein expression in the retina. Additionally, RES has
protective effects on RGCs by promoting cell growth, reducing apoptosis,
and decreasing oxidative stress in H2O2-exposed RGCs. RES was also found
to inhibit oxidative stress damage in RGCs and suppress the activation
of MAPK signaling pathways. Moreover, RES could alleviate retinal
function impairment by suppressing the HIF-1a/VEGF and p38/p53 axis
while stimulating the PI3K/Akt pathway. Hence, RES might exert potential
therapeutic effects in the treatment of glaucoma by protecting RGCs from
damage and promoting their survival.