Topical applied nutraceutical antioxidant formulation reduces ocular oxidative stress

Abstract

Background: Oral nutraceutical antioxidants have shown disappointing clinical results in reducing oxidation-induced age-related cataract and other ocular diseases. Based on the hypothesis that nutraceuticals do not adequately reach the lens by oral administration, we have developed a unique topical antioxidant formulation whose active ingredients have the reported ability to reduce oxidative stress through free radical scavenging and chelating activity. This topical nutraceutical formulation was designed to mimic the in vivo activity of multifunctional antioxidants, compounds which are being developed in our laboratory to independently scavenge free radicals and selectively bind redox metals. A comparison of the efficacy of this topical nutraceutical to multifunctional antioxidants in laboratory animal models of oxidation-induced lens changes, retinal changes, and dry eye is reviewed. Although it is less potent than the small molecule multifunctional antioxidants that will require FDA approval, the topical nutraceutical formulation beneficially reduces ocular oxidative stress. These studies suggest that this topical antioxidant may fill an unmet therapeutic need by providing a nutraceutical that beneficially reduces the effects of oxidation on age-related ocular diseases. Keywords: oxidative stress, nutraceutical antioxidants, age-related ocular diseases, dry eye, cataracts, retinal degeneration