Carnosic acid slows photoreceptor degeneration in the Pde6b(rd10) mouse model of retinitis pigmentosa

Sci Rep. 2016 Mar 10:6:22632. doi: 10.1038/srep22632.

Abstract

The photoreceptor cell death associated with the various genetic forms of retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is currently untreatable and leads to partial or complete vision loss. Carnosic acid (CA) upregulates endogenous antioxidant enzymes and has proven neuroprotective in studies of neurodegenerative models affecting the brain. In this study, we examined the potential effect of CA on photoreceptor death in the Pde6b(rd10) mouse model of RP. Our data shows that CA provided morphological and functional preservation of photoreceptors. CA appears to exert its neuroprotective effects through inhibition of oxidative stress and endoplasmic reticulum stress.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Abietanes / pharmacology*
  • Abietanes / therapeutic use
  • Animals
  • Antioxidants / pharmacology*
  • Antioxidants / therapeutic use
  • Cyclic Nucleotide Phosphodiesterases, Type 6 / genetics*
  • Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Neuroprotective Agents / pharmacology*
  • Neuroprotective Agents / therapeutic use
  • Photoreceptor Cells / drug effects*
  • Photoreceptor Cells / metabolism
  • Photoreceptor Cells / pathology
  • Retinitis Pigmentosa / drug therapy*
  • Retinitis Pigmentosa / genetics

Substances

  • Abietanes
  • Antioxidants
  • Neuroprotective Agents
  • Cyclic Nucleotide Phosphodiesterases, Type 6
  • Pde6b protein, mouse
  • salvin