Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is one of the foremost causes of irreversible vision loss globally. It is caused by degeneration of RPE and photoreceptors in the macula, impairing central vision. Oxidative stress plays a pivotal role in AMD, as retina’s high oxygen consumption makes it highly susceptible to reactive oxygen species (ROS)-induced damage. Antioxidant like carotene, lutein and zeaxanthin accumulate in the macula and filter harmful blue light and reactive species. However, natural antioxidant defenses decline with age but can be supported through custom nutraceutical development with adequate carotenoid supplementation.[1]
Protective Effect of Palm Carotene on Oxidative Stress-Induced Age-Related Macular Degeneration in Retinal Pigment Cells
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is one of the foremost causes of irreversible vision loss globally. It is caused by degeneration of RPE and photoreceptors in the macula, impairing central vision. Oxidative stress plays a pivotal role in AMD, as retina’s high oxygen consumption makes it highly susceptible to reactive oxygen species (ROS)-induced damage. Antioxidant like carotene, lutein and zeaxanthin accumulate in the macula and filter harmful blue light and reactive species. However, natural antioxidant defenses decline with age but can be supported through custom nutraceutical development with adequate carotenoid supplementation.[1]
Role of palm carotene in eye health
Palm carotene
Palm carotene is a mixed carotene complex extracted from the fruit of the oil palm (Elaeis guineensis). It consists of approximately 33% alpha carotene and 65% beta carotene.
Role
- It is rich in beta carotene and alpha carotene which convert into vitamin A to prevent night blindness and other vision problems related to Vitamin A deficiency
- Regular intake improves retinol (Vitamin A) levels and support healthy eyesight in children and adults
- It acts as an antioxidant protecting from oxidative stress and AMD
- It supports eye tissue repair and helps reduce damage from bright light
- Alpha carotene from palm carotene may protect against diabetic retinopathy [2] [3]
How to enhance the palm carotene bioavailability and absorption
The table below represents nutrient and its role to understand the synergistic effects [4]
Nutrients | Role |
Vitamin C | Protects carotenoids from oxidative degradation in the gut and improves their conversion to vitamin A |
Iron | Necessary for enzymatic conversion of beta carotene to retinol in intestinal mucosa |
Dietary fats | Enhances solubility and absorption as palm carotene is fat soluble component |
Processing techniques or methods to prevent carotene degradation from palm carotene
The table below represent various processing technique and its description to protect bioactive components. [5] [6]
Processing Technique | Description |
Low Temperature and Vaccum Distillation | Temperature below 150 OC minimises degradation of heat sensitive carotenoids
|
Oxygen exclusion and Antioxidant use | Processing under inert atmosphere protects carotenoids from oxidative degradation
|
Rapid Solvent Evaporation
| Use of rotary and short path evaporators for solvent removal avoids carotene exposure to excessive heat and oxygen
|
Microencapsulation
| Helps in stabilizing bioactive compounds against oxygen, light and heat during storage and formulation
|
How to use it palm carotene?
Dosage
- 6 – 15mg daily for adults and teenagers supplying 10,000 to 25,000 IU of vitamin A activity
- Children generally take lower doses around 3 – 6mg per day
- Red palm oil, natural carotene source can be consumed at about 5 – 10g per day providing sufficient Vitamin A to meet the RDA for most adults and children [7]
- Can be incorporated into beverages, foods, or taken standalone, supporting soft gel nutraceutical formulation development.
Administration Form
- Form of palm carotene – Oil, soft gel capsules, beadlets and microencapsulated powder
- It can be mixed into food products, beverages or taken as a standalone supplement
Product Example:
Product Name: CarotenAll Softgels
Brand: Jarrow Formulas
Category: Dietary Supplement for Eye Health and Antioxidant Support
Clinical study
The study “Effect of Carotenes against Oxidative Stress Induced Age-Related Mcular Degeneration in Human Retinal Pigment Cells” assessed the role of palm carotenes to test if they protect human retinal pigment epithelial cells, A Human Retinal Pigment Epithelial (ARPE-19) from damage due to oxidative stress, an environment mimicking age-related macular degeneration AMD. The study measured cytotoxicity, gene regulation in response to carotene, and involved molecular pathways, and it found that the protective effect was linked to the liver-X-receptor (LXR) pathway and downregulation of inflammatory genes.
Procedure
- Cytotoxicity was assessed in 17 human cancer cell lines and ARPE-19 cells in response to a range of carotene concentrations spanning from (1.56 – 25 μg/mL).
- ARPE-19 cells also received a challenge of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2,) inducing oxidative stress (that is, H2O2 administration at 500 μM).
- Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) arrays were used to evaluate distributions of gene expression.
- Bioinformatic analyses and cell-based reporter assays were undertaken to assess if molecular targets were involved, namely, the liver-X-receptor, p53, NF-κB,
Results
- Carotenes were non-toxic to normal retinal cells and did not promote cancer cell proliferation.
- Carotenes were also shown to significantly reverse oxidative damage induced by H2O2 in ARPE-19 cells.
- Several key inflammatory genes (e.g., TIMP and C5) were significantly modulated.
Conclusion
Palm carotene shows promise as a safe, effective ingredient for protecting against oxidative stress-induced retinal damage and AMD through inflammatory pathway modulation and liver receptor activation. Its efficacy depends on quality ingredient sourcing and proper processing to preserve bioactives, key to nutraceutical science and innovation.
For cutting-edge insights and solutions in nutraceutical product development and custom nutraceutical development, especially with eye health supplements palm carotene, reach out to Food Research Lab for expert guidance integrating advanced soft gel nutraceutical formulation development techniques.
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