This technology provides pharmaceutical and food compositions for the prevention and treatment of macular degeneration, containing Compound K—the final intestinal metabolite of ginseng saponin—and the eye health ingredient lutein in a weight ratio of 1:5 to 1:50. Compound K serves to mitigate the side effects associated with lutein use.
Macular degeneration, along with cataracts and glaucoma, is a leading cause of blindness. Dry macular degeneration, which accounts for about 90% of cases, is often overlooked in its early stages as it is asymptomatic or mistaken for presbyopia. While lutein is taken for prevention, long-term high-dose intake can paradoxically cause retinal cell death and accelerate macular degeneration, creating a need for a solution to prevent these effects.
This technology combines Compound K—obtained via chromatography of ginseng extract or commercial sources—with lutein to slow or prevent the cell death and accelerated macular degeneration caused by high-concentration, long-term lutein administration, preferably at a 1:5 to 1:10 ratio. It can be formulated into tablets, capsules, or drinks. Applicable to lutein supplement reformulation, ginseng-based eye health products, and early-stage dry macular degeneration treatments, it allows long-term users to consume lutein safely without fear of retinal damage.
This invention was developed with support from the Ministry of Science and ICT for research on the therapeutic effects of the endogenous metabolite kynurenic acid on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease through the amelioration of endoplasmic reticulum stress.
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