Influence/impact of lutein complex (marigold flower and wolfberry) on visual function with early age-related macular degeneration subjects

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the age-related disease characterized by chronic and progressive degeneration of photoreceptors. The retinoprotective effect of lutein complex (LC) derived from marigold (lutein) and wolfberry (zeaxanthin) was assessed in subjects with early stage AMD (n = 56). Each subject was instructed to take 60 mL of LC beverage for 5 months. Supplementation with LC substantially escalated the concentrations of serum lutein and zeaxanthin as well as the activities of antioxidant enzymes and the levels of total antioxidative capacity, ocular comfort index (OCI) and macular pigment optical density (MPOD) as compared to baseline. Oxidative stress index (total free radicals and TBARS), inflammatory markers, best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), and interocular pressure (IOP) were concomitantly lowered in subjects when treated with LC for 5 months. Thus, long-term consumption of LC may suppress the oxidative stress by enhancing the antioxidant status and thereby preclude the incidence of AMD.