title: MaquiBright™ standardized maqui berry extract significantly increases tear fluid production and ameliorates dry eye-related symptoms in a clinical pilot trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Dry eye symptoms, resulting from insufficient tear fluid generation, represent a considerable burden for a largely underestimated number of people. We concluded from earlier pre-clinical investigations that the etiology of dry eyes encompasses oxidative stress burden to lachrymal glands and that antioxidant MaquiBright™ Aristotelia chilensis berry extract helps restore glandular activity.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this pilot trial we investigated 13 healthy volunteers with moderately dry eyes using Schirmer test, as well as a questionnaire which allows for estimating the impact of dry eyes on daily routines. Study participants were assigned to one of two groups, receiving MaquiBright™ at daily dosage of either 30 mg (N.=7) or 60 mg (N.=6) over a period of 60 days. Both groups presented with significantly (P<0.05) improved tear fluid volume already after 30 days treatment. Schirmer test showed an increase from baseline 16.3±2.6 mm to 24.4±4.8 mm (P<0.05) with 30 mg MaquiBright™ and from 18.7±1.9 mm to 27.6±3.4 mm with 60 mg (P<0.05), respectively. Following treatment with 30 mg MaquiBright™ for further 30 days, tear fluid volume dropped slightly to 20.5±2.8 mm, whereas the improvement persisted with 60 mg treatment at 27.1±2.7 mm after 60 days treatment (P<0.05 vs. baseline).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The burden of eye dryness on daily routines was evaluated employing the "Dry Eye-related Quality of life Score" (DEQS), with values spanning from zero (impact) to a maximum score of 60. Participants had comparable baseline values of 41.0±7.7 (30 mg) and 40.2±6.3 (60 mg). With 30 mg treatment the score significantly decreased to 21.8±3.9 and 18.9±3.9, after 30 and 60 days, respectively. With 60 mg treatment the DEQS significantly decreased to 26.9±5.3 and 11.1±2.7, after 30 and 60 days, respectively. Blood was drawn for safety analyses (complete blood rheology and -chemistry) at all three investigative time points without negative findings.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In conclusion, while daily supplementation with 30 mg MaquiBright™ is effective, the dosage of 60 significantly increased tear fluid volume at all investigative time points and decreased dry eye symptoms to almost a quarter from initial values after two months treatment.
authors.affiliation: Research and Development Division, Oryza Oil & Fat Chemical Co., Ltd., Ichinomiya, Aichi, Japan - kaihatsu@mri.biglobe.ne.jp.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hitoe
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Tanaka
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Shimoda
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D045467:Elaeocarpaceae / Q000737:chemistry; D005260:Female; D005638:Fruit; D006801:Humans; D007765:Lacrimal Apparatus / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010865:Pilot Projects; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010946:Plants, Medicinal; D020127:Recovery of Function; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013666:Tears / Q000378:metabolism*; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014985:Xerophthalmia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology
chemical_list: D010936:Plant Extracts