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Neuroprotective effect of lignans extracted from Eucommia ulmoides Oliv. on glaucoma-related neurodegeneration

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Abstract

Glaucoma is a progressive neurodegenerative disease, characterized by retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) and axon degeneration. The development of neuroprotective drug is required for improving the efficiency of glaucoma treatment. Eucommia ulmoides Oliv. has been used as a source of traditional medicine and as a beneficial health food. Lignans is one of the main bioactive components of Eucommia ulmoides. Here, we show that lignans protects RGCs against oxidative stress-induced injury in vitro. Moreover, lignans exerts neuroprotective effect on glaucoma-associated optic neuropathy in glaucomatous rats. Lignans treatment could improve oxidative stress response in RGCs and retinas of glaucomatous rats. Lignans plays an anti-oxidative stress role via the activation of AMPK signaling. This study provides evidence that lignans possesses protective effect on glaucoma-associated optic neuropathy. Lignans might be an alternative for the prevention and treatment of glaucomatous neurodegeneration.

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Acknowledgments

This work was generously supported by the grants from talent introduction funding (to C.P.L.), the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 81200131 to B.L.), and the Guiding project of Shanghai Science and Technology Commission (Grant No. 14411971000 to B.L.).

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    Authors and Affiliations

    1. Department of Ophthalmology, Eye Institute of Xuzhou, Xuzhou, 221000, Jiangsu, China

      Chao-Peng Li

    2. Department of Health, Linyi People’s Hospital, Shandong University, Linyi, 276003, Shandong, China

      Gui-Zhen Qiu

    3. Department of Cardiology, Shanghai Tenth People’s Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200072, China

      Ban Liu

    4. Department of Cardiology, Shanghai Tenth People’s Hospital Chongming Branch, Shanghai, 202157, China

      Ban Liu

    5. Department of Ophthalmology, Linyi People’s Hospital, Shandong University, Linyi, 276003, Shandong, China

      Jin-Long Chen & Hai-Tao Fu

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    1. Chao-Peng Li
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    3. Ban Liu
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    Correspondence to Chao-Peng Li.

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    C.-P. Li, G.-Z. Qiu and B. Liu contribute equally to this paper.

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    Li, CP., Qiu, GZ., Liu, B. et al. Neuroprotective effect of lignans extracted from Eucommia ulmoides Oliv. on glaucoma-related neurodegeneration. Neurol Sci 37, 755–762 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10072-016-2491-3

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