Unoprostone isopropyl ester, a novel prostaglandin derivative, was launched in Japan as eye drops for the treatment of glaucoma and ocular hypertension.
In animal and human studies, a single drop of unoprostone isopropyl ester induced
significant decrease in intraocular pressure without systemic effects, myosis or
mydriasis. Unlike prostaglandin analogs such as PGF2α, unoprostone isopropyl
ester does not cause irritation in outer segment of the eye or significant changes in
aqueous protein concentration and corneal endothelial permeability. Unoprostone
isopropyl ester is suggested to act by increasing uveoscleral outflow or by
decreasing episcleral venous pressure, resulting in ocular hypotension.
Unoprostone isopropyl ester (Rescula) is the clinically approved, prodrug form of unoprostone, which is a free acid analog of prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α). Both latanoprost and Rescula have been approved for the treatment of ocular hypertension. Both analogs of PGF2α are believed to act by increasing the rate of aqueous humor outflow through the uveoscleral pathway. Both drugs are believed to act as prodrugs, with endogenous esterases within the eye releasing the free acid active form of the drug. The typical does of Rescula (one drop of 0.12% solution) is nearly 100 times that of latanoprost. Rescula has very little activity on isolated DP or TP receptors, less than 0.0005% the activity of PGE2 on EP3 receptors, and about 3% of the activity of PGF2α on FP receptors.
Isopropyl unoprostone is an antiglaucoma,it is used in treatment of ocular hypertension.
Antiglaucoma; used in treatment of ocular hypertension.
ChEBI: A carboxylic ester that is the isopropyl ester of unoprostone.
