Potential Role of Artemisinin And Its Derivatives In The Treatment of Age-related Macular Degeneration

Abstract

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is an important cause of visual impairment and even blindness in the elderly. At present, the treatment of AMD mainly focuses on the treatment of Neovascular AMD (nvAMD), by repeatedly injecting anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) drugs into the vitreous. Although anti-VEGF drugs are landmark treatment options in the field of nvAMD treatment, multiple injections may cause some patients to respond poorly or even non-responsively and may develop progressive fibrosis. Artemisinin and its derivatives were initially used as antimalarial treatments. In recent years, the role of artemisinin and its derivatives in AMD has attracted great attention. Artemisinin treatment can not only effectively protect pigment epithelial cells in AMD from oxidative damage, reverse pigment epithelial cell mitochondrial dysfunction and anti-angiogenesis, but also effectively reduce pre-corneal injury caused by vitreous injection of anti-VEGF through microparticle drugs (carrying artemisinin). Many experiments have confirmed the therapeutic effect of artemisinin and its derivatives on AMD, but no article has systematically demonstrated the special role of artemisinin in the treatment of AMD. This article reviews the potential therapeutic effects and mechanisms of artemisinin and its derivatives in AMD to provide references for subsequent related studies.