Unoprostone, a prostaglandin F2α analogs (PGAs), activates BK channels to reduce oxidative stress- and light-induced retinal cell death, and phagocytotic dysfunction. Unoprostone reduces intraocular pressure and is used topically for glaucoma or ocular hypertension^[1]. In Vitro: Pretreatment with Unoprostone (0.01, 0.1, 1 μM; 1 h before H₂O₂ treatment) protects against H₂O₂-induced cell death in a concentration-dependent manner and the effect is significant at 0.1 μM and 1 μM concentrations^[1].
Pretreatment with Unoprostone at concentrations of 0.1 to 3 μM protects against light-induced cell death in a concentration-dependent manner; the effect is significant at the 1 and 3 μM concentrations. Unoprostone reduces the morphological change, and it significantly inhibits the low mitochondrial membrane potential and cell death induced by light irradiation^[1].
Unoprostone has prostaglandin F_2α receptors (FP) binding affinity with a K_i of 3.86 μM^[2].
In Vivo: Unoprostone (0.06%, 0.12%; topical instillation; 3 µl) reduces mouse intraocular pressure (IOP) in a dose-dependent manner^[3].