Natural Compounds from Green Tea and Coleus Forskohlii Show Promise for Glaucoma and Diabetic Retinopathy

Medical News: Eye diseases like glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration (AMD), and diabetic retinopathy affect millions of people globally. While treatments exist, scientists are constantly searching for new and natural ways to support eye health. Recently, a study by researchers from Fidia Ophthalmics in Catania, Italy has uncovered the potential benefits of two naturally derived compounds - epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) from green tea and forskolin from the Coleus forskohlii plant - for supporting retinal health and managing key eye conditions.


Natural Compounds from Green Tea and Coleus Forskohlii Show Promise for
Glaucoma and Diabetic Retinopathy

This Medical News report delves into the details of how these compounds could work together to offer significant protective effects against inflammation, oxidative stress, and other factors contributing to common eye diseases.
 
What Makes EGCG and Forskolin Special?
EGCG is a potent polyphenol found in green tea, known for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. These characteristics make it a valuable compound for potentially reducing oxidative damage and inflammation in the eyes, factors that significantly contribute to diseases like glaucoma and AMD.
 
Forskolin, on the other hand, is a diterpene extracted from the Coleus forskohlii plant. Known primarily for increasing levels of cyclic AMP (cAMP) in the body, forskolin supports eye health by reducing intraocular pressure (IOP), which is a leading factor in glaucoma progression. Forskolin’s neuroprotective effects also help safeguard retinal cells from damage.
 
The Key Findings
The study provides a comprehensive review of both compounds' effects, indicating that their combined use could offer a multifaceted approach to treating eye diseases by addressing several pathways linked to retinal degeneration. Here are the major findings in detail:
 
-Reducing Oxidative Stress and Inflammation
Oxidative stress is one of the primary factors that damage retinal cells, especially in glaucoma and AMD. EGCG acts as an antioxidant, reducing the levels of harmful free radicals in the eye. This antioxidant action of EGCG neutralizes reactive oxygen species (ROS), which can otherwise accumulate and damage cells.

Forskolin contributes by lowering inflammation markers in retinal cells, which is particularly beneficial for diabetic retinopathy. Inflammation leads to retinal damage, but forskolin’s ability to reduce inflammatory molecules such as ICAM-1 and TNF-α offers protection for retinal cells.
 
-Protecting Retinal Ganglion Cells
EGCG's neuroprotective properties help preserve retinal ganglion cells (RGCs), which are vital for maintaining vision. By preventing oxidative damage and cell death in RGCs, EGCG supports long-term retinal health. This effect is particularly beneficial in conditions like glaucoma, where RGCs are at a higher risk of degeneration.
 
Forskolin, in its role as a cAMP booster, further supports the survival of RGCs. By reducing IOP, forskolin indirectly shields the optic nerve from excessive pressure, thus slowing down disease progression.
 
-Improving Blood Flow and Managing Angiogenesis
Proper blood flow is essential for eye health. Forskolin's role in increasing cAMP not only lowers IOP but also promotes vasodilation, which enhances blood flow in the eye. Improved blood perfusion helps deliver more oxygen and nutrients to the retina, which is beneficial for preventing cell death.
 
For patients with diabetic retinopathy, abnormal blood vessel growth in the retina, known as angiogenesis, can lead to vision loss. Forskolin has been found to inhibit this process by affecting key pathways related to new blood vessel formation, providing a potential avenue to mitigate vision deterioration in diabetic retinopathy and AMD.
 
How Do EGCG and Forskolin Work Together?
The study suggests that combining EGCG and forskolin could create a synergistic effect, where the compounds’ benefits are enhanced when used together. Here’s how they complement each other:
 
-Antioxidant and Anti-inflammatory Support: EGCG tackles oxidative stress, while forskolin focuses on reducing inflammation. Together, they form a strong defense against the main factors causing retinal diseases.
 
-Neuroprotection and IOP Management: While EGCG offers neuroprotective support, forskolin’s role in lowering IOP directly impacts glaucoma management. For individuals with glaucoma, this combined effect could mean better protection for optic nerves and potentially slower disease progression.
 
-Improving Retinal Cell Viability: Studies indicate that EGCG enhances the health and survival of cells exposed to high glucose levels, a common issue in diabetic retinopathy. Forskolin complements this by improving retinal cell function and protecting the blood-retinal barrier, helping prevent fluid buildup and retinal swelling.
 
Practical Implications and Future Research Directions
The promising results of this study point to a future where eye health supplements could incorporate these two natural compounds. While more clinical trials are needed to confirm the effects observed in preclinical studies, EGCG and forskolin show strong potential as adjunct therapies for individuals at risk of, or already managing, retinal diseases like glaucoma, AMD, and diabetic retinopathy.
 
Researchers also highlight the importance of addressing bioavailability. EGCG and forskolin have low bioavailability, meaning they are not fully absorbed when ingested. Future research is focusing on innovative delivery methods, like nanoparticles and self-emulsifying systems, to improve the absorption of these compounds, making them more effective as treatments.
 
Conclusions
The study by Fidia Ophthalmics emphasizes that EGCG and forskolin, two natural compounds, could together form an effective, non-invasive therapy for retinal diseases by reducing oxidative stress, managing inflammation, lowering IOP, and improving blood flow in the retina. This combination of benefits could make these compounds a practical solution for maintaining eye health, especially as part of a preventive or supplementary regimen for those at risk of eye diseases.
 
The natural origin of both EGCG and forskolin makes them especially appealing as safer alternatives to conventional treatments. However, further studies are crucial to fully confirm these effects in human subjects, ensuring that the results seen in preclinical trials translate into real-world benefits.
 
With retinal diseases remaining a leading cause of visual impairment worldwide, this study opens an encouraging pathway for new, accessible, and non-pharmaceutical treatment options.
 
The study findings were published on a preprint server and are currently being peer reviewed.
https://www.preprints.org/manuscript/202410.1335/v1
 
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