title: 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: OBJECTIVE
  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.affiliation: 1 Clinica Oculistica, DINOG, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria San Martino - IST, Genoa - Italy.
authors.forename: Stefano
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Barabino
authors.forename: Maurizio
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rolando
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nardi
authors.forename: Stefano
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bonini
authors.forename: Pasquale
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Aragona
authors.forename: Carlo Enrico
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Traverso
mesh_terms: D003228:Conjunctiva / Q000503:physiopathology; D003315:Cornea / Q000503:physiopathology; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D015352:Dry Eye Syndromes / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D008517:Phytotherapy; D011134:Polysaccharides / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012639:Seeds / Q000737:chemistry*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D029861:Tamarindus / Q000737:chemistry*; D013666:Tears / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D011134:Polysaccharides; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid