A Canadian study has shown cannabinol (CBN) promotes neuroprotection, abrogates changes in extracellular matrix (ECM) protein and normalises intraocular pressures (IOPs), indicating the compound’s therapeutic potential in the treatment of glaucoma, said study authors.
Researchers from the University of British Columbia and InMed Pharmaceuticals, a cannabinoids manufacturer, administered intravitreal (IVT) cannabinol, a non-psychoactive compound found in marijuana, into mouse, rat and human models. They found it protected mouse retinal ganglion precursor-like cells from pressure-induced toxicity, while in human trabecular meshwork cells, CBN attenuated changes in the ECM proteins, including fibronectin and α-smooth muscle actin, as well as mitogen-activated protein kinases. The researchers also reported reduced IOPs in a rat episcleral vein laser photocoagulation model of glaucoma.
“Not only do these data suggest a reduction in ocular pressure but also proactive neuroprotection in the retina, both of which are integral to the treatment of glaucoma,” said Professor Ujendra Kumar, Faculty of Pharmaceuticals, The University of British Columbia.
For more, see www. eyeonoptics.co.nz/articles/archive/glaucoma-take-it-or-leaf-it
