Erigeron breviscapus

Neuroprotection of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs). A 2024 peer-reviewed review in Planta Medica summarizes EB’s mechanisms relevant to glaucomatous optic neuropathy: anti-apoptotic signaling, reduction of glutamate excitotoxicity, antioxidation via Nrf2/PI3K-Akt pathways, anti-inflammation (including NLRP3 inflammasome), improved axoplasmic transport, and modulation of ion channels—each aimed at preserving RGCs and their axons. Thieme

Vasomodulation / microcirculation. EB and scutellarin have vasodilatory and anti-platelet properties that can improve microcirculatory perfusion, a proposed contributor to optic nerve head vulnerability (particularly in normal-tension glaucoma). Reviews of scutellarin/breviscapine describe endothelium-dependent vasodilation and antithrombotic actions that could support optic nerve blood flow. SpringerLink

Preclinical protection with IOP stress. In mouse models of chronic IOP elevation, oral scutellarin preserved retinal structure and visual function; authors suggest it as a candidate neurotherapeutic agent. Independent in vitro/in vivo work reports RGC rescue with scutellarin via inflammasome and microglia modulation. Frontiers

These are study regimens, not medical advice. If you’re considering EB, discuss it with your ophthalmologist so it can be coordinated with your IOP-lowering plan and monitored appropriately.

• Oral EB extract (tablets) — Randomized, double-blind clinical trial in POAG with controlled IOP: two tablets, three times daily for 6 months; each tablet contained “40 mg flavone” (the study’s standardized EB extract). Visual fields and safety were checked every 2 months. SpringerLink
• Oral scutellarin — Animal (IOP-elevation) studies: daily oral scutellarin for several weeks preserved retinal thickness and function; used as a proof-of-concept dosing paradigm (preclinical, not directly translatable to exact human doses). Frontiers
• Hospital-only injections (China) — Breviscapine (scutellarin-rich) IV injections are used in China for vascular indications; reviews list typical hospital dosing patterns and note drug-compatibility limitations for the injection. These are not standard glaucoma care and not generally available/approved in many countries. Frontiers

If an ophthalmologist supervises adjunctive use, monitoring generally mirrors the trial: continue standard drops/surgery; reassess IOP, OCT RNFL/GCC, and visual fields every ~2–3 months; stop if adverse effects occur or if disease progresses.

Human randomized trial (placebo-controlled). 40 POAG patients (post-surgical, IOP ≤18 mmHg) received EB extract vs placebo for 6 months. Outcome: significant improvement from baseline in visual field indices (mean defect ↓; mean sensitivity ↑) after 6 months in the EB group; no significant change with placebo; no major adverse events reported. Authors concluded EB “may have a partial protective effect” and called for larger studies. (Drugs in R&D; open access). SpringerLink

Systematic review of nutritional supplementation in glaucoma. Identified two RCTs of EB extracts reporting protective effects on visual field over ~6 months (methodological limitations; small samples). ScienceDirect

Preclinical data (supporting biology).

• Mouse chronic IOP elevation: oral scutellarin preserved retinal structure and visual function. (Frontiers in Medicine, 2021). Frontiers
• Molecular Vision study: scutellarin reduced RGC loss and microglial activation, linked to NLRP3 inflammasome inhibition in retinal hypoxia models. molvis.org
• Broad mechanistic reviews outline antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, vasorelaxant, and anti-excitotoxic pathways for scutellarin/EB. SpringerLink