Eye Drops Made with Extracts from Three Different Herbs Protect Against Vision Loss in Glaucoma
Nikhil Prasad Fact checked by:Thailand Medical News Team May 06, 2025 2 weeks, 4 days, 3 hours, 21 minutes ago
Medical News: Natural herbal combination shows promise in reducing eye pressure and protecting nerves in the eyes
A new scientific study from Hungary has revealed that a unique combination of herbal extracts used as eye drops can help lower eye pressure and protect nerve cells in the eye, offering a new supportive therapy for people living with glaucoma. The research was conducted by scientists from the University of Pécs, including teams from the Department of Ophthalmology, Department of Pharmacognosy, and the HUN-REN-PTE PACAP Research Team at the Centre for Neuroscience.
Eye Drops Made with Extracts from Three Different Herbs Protect Against Vision Loss in Glaucoma
Glaucoma is a serious eye disease that damages the optic nerve and can lead to irreversible vision loss. It affects more than 76 million people globally, with that number expected to rise to over 110 million by 2040. One of the key risk factors for glaucoma is increased intraocular pressure (IOP). While many existing treatments focus on lowering this pressure, researchers are now exploring how reducing oxidative stress and inflammation in the eyes may also help protect against the disease’s damaging effects. This
Medical News report highlights an innovative approach using natural herbs as part of this effort.
The research team created a new eye drop solution using extracts from three medicinal herbs: rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis), fennel (Foeniculum vulgare), and immortelle (Helichrysum italicum). These herbs are known for their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, and the scientists aimed to test their effects in a glaucoma rat model over an eight-week period.
How the study was done
The researchers induced glaucoma in a group of rats by injecting tiny microbeads into the front chamber of their eyes to block fluid drainage and raise IOP. Some rats were given placebo eye drops, while others were treated with the new herbal formula twice a day. Another group of healthy rats also received the herbal eye drops to monitor for safety.
The team used several advanced techniques to examine the effects of the treatment, including electroretinograms (ERG) to measure retinal function, optical coherence tomography (OCT) to view retinal structure, and immunohistochemical staining to count retinal nerve cells.
Remarkable results from herbal treatment
Rats treated with the herbal eye drops showed significantly lower eye pressure compared to untreated rats. The treatment group maintained nearly normal IOP levels throughout the study period, while the placebo group experienced consistently high pressure.
In addition to lowering IOP, the herbal drops protected the delicate nerve cells in the retina known as retinal ganglion cells (RGCs). The treated group had much higher RGC survival rates and fewer signs of cell death or damage. The drops also preserved healthy blood vessels in the eyes, preventing the vascular damage seen in untreated glaucoma rats.
OCT Imaging confirmed that the herbal treat
ment helped maintain the thickness of the retinal layers, an important sign of eye health. Meanwhile, blood tests and tissue analysis showed the herbal drops reduced harmful markers of inflammation and oxidative stress, while boosting protective proteins like BDNF (brain-derived neurotrophic factor) and CREB.
Importantly, no adverse effects were observed in the rats treated with the herbal solution, and the eye drops were found to be stable and safe for use when refrigerated.
Conclusions and potential impact
The findings suggest that a combined herbal eye drop formula containing rosemary, fennel, and immortelle may be a powerful complementary treatment for glaucoma. It works not only by lowering eye pressure but also by protecting nerve cells and reducing inflammation in the eye. This plant-based therapy may be especially helpful for people who are not responding well to conventional medications or are looking for a natural, cost-effective support option. The researchers believe that with further testing in humans, this therapy could be a valuable tool in slowing the progression of glaucoma and preserving vision.
The study findings were published in the peer reviewed journal: Antioxidants.
https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3921/14/5/549
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