Writing in the journal Nutrientsโ, they reported the results ofย a study conducted in volunteers who work in computer-based jobs that assessed the effect of either 400 mg of the supplement Oculoxin (from Polish producer Greenvit) or a placebo, taken twice a day for six weeks.
Results showed that the supplement (AKB) improved near vision in 92.3% of participants, andย conjunctival hydration (the moisture levels of theย membrane that lines the eyelid)ย improved in 61.5% of patients.
โThis is the first study of a preparation based on a combination of natural extracts of aronia, honeysuckle and bilberry,โ the researchers wrote.. โAnd the observations providing a premise for possible activity in the treatment of presbyopia as well as dry eye syndrome.โย
Botanical solutions for eye healthโ
Presbyopia, a common condition that causes difficulty focusing on objects at varying distances due toย changes in lens elasticity and protein instability over timeโ, affects approximatelyย 1.3 billion people globallyโ.
While standard solutions include the use of contact lenses and glasses or laser eye surgery, natural compoundsโย likeย iridoidsโsecondary metabolites present in a variety of plantsโand anthocyanins, in particular, haveย shown potential to improve visual acuityโ.ย There is also increasing research into plant-based treatments, including polysaccharides and betaine contained in Goya berriesโ,ย for dry eye syndrome.
However, as the authors noted, there is a lack of human studies evaluating the effects of standardized extracts containing both polyphenol group compounds (particularly ย anthocyanins) and iridoids.ย
Study detailsโ
The randomized, double-blind, crossover study recruited 23 participants over the age of 50 and evaluated the effect of supplementation or placebo using the Schirmer test (a test that determines whether the eye produces enough tears to keep it moist), assessment of lid-parallel conjunctival folds (LIPCOF) index and the tear breakup time (TBUT) test, as well as a visual field test.
While the preliminary results showed that the composition of AKB did not change visual acuity in the firstย sixย weeks of administration, the next cycle of the study (following aย five-week washout period)ย observed an improvement in near visual acuity in 92.3% of the patients.
Additionally, 80% of patients showed increased conjunctival wetting at the beginning of week six of administration. While this number reduced in the washout period, 61.5% of patients still experienced increased conjunctival wetting by the end of the experiment.ย
The authors also identified anthocyanins including cyanidin 3-O-galactoside, delphinidin 3-O-arabinoside, cyanidin 3-O-glucoside, cyanidin 3-O-rutinoside, cyanidin 3-O-arabinoside and iridoids including loganin, sweroside, loganic acid in the extract.
As chokeberry extract contains phenolic compounds like anthocyanins and proanthocyanidins, the authors suggested that they may enhance vision by promoting rhodopsin biosynthesis and improving microcirculationโ.
Research has also shown that honeysuckle berry extract couldย reduce ocular inflammationโย by inhibiting the production of pro-inflammatory mediators, and as bilberry extract is rich in anthocyanins, previous research suggests that these compounds are responsible for modulating oxidative stress andย protecting retinal cellsโ.
The researchers called for further in-depth studies in suitable populations and exploration of the molecular mechanism of action to prove the activity of the Oculoxin preparation as an effective dietary supplement.
ย
Journal:ย Nutrientsโ
doi:ย 10.3390/nu16070926โย
โExtract from Aronia melanocarpa, Lonicera caerulea, and Vaccinium myrtillus Improves near Visual Acuity in People with Presbyopia.โ
Authors: Szumny, D. Et al.