Ms Li PAN
PhD Student
➲ ORCiD 0000-0002-4839-7057
Title of project:
Traditional Chinese Medicines and Neuroprotection
Synopsis:
The project aims to determine whether these TCMs can potentially be used as anti-glaucoma agents, and we shall investigate the effects of these TCMs on 1) IOP; and 2) neuroprotective effects; 3) mechanism of neuroprotection. The results of this project will enable us to understand the functional importance of baicalein as anti-glaucoma drugs. We hope that TCMs with fewer side effects can be developed for clinical use.
Glaucoma is a progressive optic neuropathy characterized by a specific pattern of optic nerve head and visual field damage. Because of the absence of noticeable symptoms, glaucoma often leads to substantial visual loss before diagnosis. Until now, glaucoma remains incurable although its progression can be retarded by lowering the IOP by anti-glaucoma drugs. Neuroprotection has been proposed to facilitate in delaying the disease progression, but has not yet been successfully developed as an alternative treatment option. Because of the issues regarding drug resistance and patient compliance, novel agents with more potent and long-lasting actions are required. Baicalein (5,6,7-trihydroxyflavone) has a broad spectrum of bioactivity and has been shown that baicalein can be used in the treatment of neuropathies and cognitive impairment.
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