The effect of an artificial tear combining hyaluronic acid and tamarind seeds polysaccharide in patients with moderate dry eye syndrome: a new treatment for dry eye.

Abstract

PURPOSE:

Synergistic interactions between hyaluronic acid (HA) and tamarind seed polysaccharide (TS-polysaccharide) have been demonstrated by means of nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. This study was designed to investigate the potential clinical benefit of a combination of HA and TS-polysaccharide in managing dry eye disease (DED).

METHODS:

A total of 49 subjects with moderate DED, confirmed by Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) questionnaire score between 10 and 25, tear break-up time (BUT) <10 seconds, or Schirmer I test <5.5 mm after 5 minutes, and lissamine green staining of the ocular surface >2 according to National Eye Institute score system, were enrolled into this multicenter, randomized, double-masked study to receive either combination of HA and TS-polysaccharide or carmellose sodium for 3 months, both instilled 4 times per day. The assessments included OSDI questionnaire, tear film stability (BUT), tear production (Schirmer I test), and corneal and conjunctival staining.

RESULTS:

Patients treated with HA and TS-polysaccharide showed a statistically significant improvement in the OSDI score at the end of the study compared to the baseline and control groups. The HA and TS-polysaccharide and carmellose sodium were equally effective in reducing BUT and the extent of injury assessed by corneal and conjunctival staining. Non-significant changes were recorded for Schirmer I test.

CONCLUSIONS:

Based on the results of this clinical trial, the combination of HA and TS-polysaccharide appears to be effective in improving the symptoms of dry eye, opening new scenarios in possible treatment of the disease by combining different molecules.

• Authors: Stefano Barabino, Maurizio Rolando, Marco Nardi, Stefano Bonini, Pasquale Aragona, Carlo Enrico Traverso
• Journal: European journal of ophthalmology (Eur J Ophthalmol) 2014 Mar-Apr Vol. 24 Issue 2 Pg. 173-8 ISSN: 1724-6016 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 24030535 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Multicenter Study, Randomized Controlled Trial, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Ophthalmic Solutions
• Polysaccharides
• Hyaluronic Acid

Topics

• Conjunctiva (physiopathology)
• Cornea (physiopathology)
• Double-Blind Method
• Drug Therapy, Combination
• Dry Eye Syndromes (drug therapy, physiopathology)
• Female
• Humans
• Hyaluronic Acid (therapeutic use)
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Ophthalmic Solutions
• Phytotherapy
• Polysaccharides (therapeutic use)
• Seeds (chemistry)
• Surveys and Questionnaires
• Tamarindus (chemistry)
• Tears (physiology)