Tropical Journal of Pharmaceutical Research

Original Research Article | OPEN ACCESS

Amygdalin protects apoptosis of retinal ganglionic cells in glaucoma rats by regulating the expressions of anti- and pro-apoptotic proteins

Xiaoli Zeng^1,2, Hongbin Lv¹ , Xuewen Huang²

¹Department of Ophthalmology, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Sichuan, Luzhou 646000; ²Department of Ophthalmology, Nanchong Central Hospital, Sichuan, Nanchong 637000, China.

For correspondence:- Hongbin Lv Email: BertaJoycecid@yahoo.com Tel:+868303165200

Accepted: 18 May 2020 Published: 30 June 2020

Citation: Zeng X, Lv H, Huang X. Amygdalin protects apoptosis of retinal ganglionic cells in glaucoma rats by regulating the expressions of anti- and pro-apoptotic proteins. Trop J Pharm Res 2020; 19(6):1179-1184 doi: 10.4314/tjpr.v19i6.9

© 2020 The authors.
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Abstract

Purpose: To evaluate the protective effect of amygdalin against glaucoma.

Methods: Glaucoma was induced in rats via ischemia/reperfusion. The rats were treated with amygdalin (1 mg/kg) intraperitoneally (ip) for 5 weeks. Intra-ocular pressure (IOP), viability of retinal ganglion cell (RGCs) and histopathological changes in the retinal tissue of the glaucoma rats were determined. The expression levels of inflammatory cytokines and expressions of apoptotic factors were assessed in retinal tissues of all groups.

Results: Intra-ocular pressure was reduced in amygdalin-treated group, when compared with the glaucoma group (p < 0.05). Moreover, the viability and thickness of RGCs in the amygdalin-treated group were enhanced, relative to untreated glaucoma rats. There was decrease in retinal cytokine levels in amygdalin-treated group, when compared with untreated glaucoma rats. Amygdalin treatment ameliorated altered expressions of apoptosis proteins in the retinal tissue of ischemia/reperfusion-induced glaucoma rats.

Conclusion: Amygdalin has a protective effect against ischemia/reperfusion-induced glaucoma in rats. Thus, it has a potential for use in the clinical management of glaucoma.

Keywords: Glaucoma, Amygdalin, Cytokines, Ischemia/reperfusion, Apoptosis