Unibar Corporation announced the latest research supporting the use of capsanthin to support overall ocular health. Published in the Journal of Food Biochemistry, the study observed the effects of supplementation of Capsicum annum-derived capsanthin (CCA) in a benzalkonium chloride pharmacokinetic (PK) dry eye model that replicated the dry eye effect induced by excessive digital screen use.

Using benzalkonium chloride, a widely used preservative in topical ocular drops, which has shown to have adverse effects, including dry eye and interocular pressure, the researchers induced dry eyes in Albino Wistar rats. The animals were then supplemented once daily with capsanthin (CapsiClear™), a carotenoid extract from red peppers, for seven weeks in three dose groups: low (1.03 mg/kg BW), medium (2.53 mg/kg BW) and high (4.22 mg/kg BW). Changes in intraocular pressure (IOP), tear break-up time and tear volume were compared between the dry eye-induced and control groups. Researchers also analyzed and evaluated the inflammatory and antioxidant responses to capsanthin supplementation.

The animal study discovered that all three doses of CCA validated previous research by helping to decrease IOP by a statistically significant amount (p>0.01). Similarly, the group that supplemented with the capsanthin, experienced significantly increased tear break-up time and volume and decreased corneal inflammation. This led to the stabilization of the rats’ ocular surface. The real-time data was also analyzed and confirmed using the relative gene expression method. Dry eye may upregulate the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and induces oxidative stress, capsanthin’s capacity as a strong antioxidant and its ability to help inhibit the expression of particular inflammatory cytokines (i.e. TNF-a, IL-2, and IL-3) can help create balance. *

“We are pleased with the results of this study. CapsiClear is the only product on the market shown to aid eye health holistically, aiding in five areas for both short- and long-term eye care,” said Sevanti Mehta, president of Unibar. “This research into capsanthin demonstrated its effectiveness on dry eye symptoms including reduction in corneal inflammation, support in tear regeneration and a decrease of IOP. *”

Capsanthin is a relatively new plant-based ingredient in the eye health space, still, the research over the last few years has supported it as one of the most comprehensive eye health carotenoids available. The award-winning ingredient is the first naturally derived oral carotenoid clinically supported to help decrease IOP, improve macular pigment optical density (MPOD) and photostress recovery, provide blue and white light protection, and now, supports the optical system against dry eyes*.

*This statement has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.