How Eyevistar® works
Macular carotenoid deposition, optical protection, antioxidant defense and reduction of phototoxic waste products within the retinal pigment epithelium.
Eyevistar® is a standardized marigold extract containing 20% lutein and 4% zeaxanthin. These xanthophyll carotenoids support retinal health through complementary mechanisms involving macular carotenoid deposition, optical protection, antioxidant defense and the reduction of phototoxic waste products within the retinal pigment epithelium.
After absorption, lutein and zeaxanthin are transported through the bloodstream and selectively deposited in ocular tissues, where they contribute to the macular pigment. Within the retina, they help filter high-energy blue light and neutralize reactive oxygen species before these factors can damage retinal lipids, proteins and cellular structures.
Eyevistar® has also been evaluated in ARPE-19 retinal pigment epithelial cells and in a high-fat-diet-induced animal model of AMD-like retinal stress. The findings indicate that Eyevistar® supports retinal cell viability, restores plasma and macular carotenoid levels, strengthens endogenous antioxidant defenses and limits A2E and lipofuscin accumulation.
Macular carotenoid delivery and optical protection
Lutein and zeaxanthin are selectively concentrated in the macular region of the retina, where they form part of the macular pigment. This pigment acts as an internal optical filter that reduces the amount of high-energy blue light reaching vulnerable photoreceptors and retinal pigment epithelial cells.
Eyevistar® provides both carotenoids in a standardized 5:1 lutein-to-zeaxanthin ratio. In the in-vivo study, high-fat diet feeding substantially depleted lutein and zeaxanthin in plasma and macular tissue. Eyevistar® supplementation restored these carotenoids in a dose-dependent manner.
| Carotenoid measure | High-fat-diet control | Eyevistar® 10 mg/kg |
|---|---|---|
| Plasma lutein | 64.5 ng/mL | 276.5 ng/mL |
| Plasma zeaxanthin | Undetectable | 20.2 ng/mL |
| Macular lutein | 15.5 ng/mL | 68.1 ng/mL |
| Macular zeaxanthin | Undetectable | 2.2 ng/mL |
These results provide preclinical evidence that the carotenoids supplied by Eyevistar® can reach the systemic circulation and be deposited in retinal tissue. This ocular bioavailability supports their role in macular pigment formation and photoprotection.
Antioxidant and cytoprotective defense
The retina has a high oxygen demand and is continuously exposed to light, making it particularly vulnerable to reactive oxygen species and lipid peroxidation. Lutein and zeaxanthin help neutralize reactive oxygen species and protect retinal cell membranes from oxidative damage.
In ARPE-19 cells, Eyevistar® showed no meaningful cytotoxicity across concentrations up to 1,000 µg/mL. It also increased retinal cell proliferative activity by 33.59%, 46.15% and 62.31% at concentrations of 125, 250 and 500 µg/mL, respectively.
UV exposure reduced ARPE-19 cell viability to 50.98%. Pretreatment with Eyevistar® improved viability to 81.19% at 250 µg/mL and 100.64% at 500 µg/mL, demonstrating a concentration-dependent cytoprotective effect against UV-induced oxidative injury.
The in-vivo findings support this antioxidant mechanism. Eyevistar® restored total antioxidant capacity and the activities of important endogenous antioxidant enzymes:
- Superoxide dismutase (SOD)
- Catalase (CAT)
- Glutathione peroxidase (GPx)
- Total antioxidant capacity (TAC)
The strongest improvements were observed at 10 mg/kg, indicating that Eyevistar® supports both direct carotenoid antioxidant activity and the body's broader enzymatic defense system.
Reduction of A2E, lipofuscin and retinal stress signaling
A2E is a major fluorescent component of lipofuscin, an age-associated material that accumulates inside retinal pigment epithelial cells. Under light exposure, A2E can act as a photosensitizer, generating reactive oxygen species and contributing to mitochondrial stress, lysosomal dysfunction and retinal cell injury.
UV irradiation increased A2E accumulation in ARPE-19 cells from 1.79% to 35.24%. Eyevistar® reduced this accumulation to 23.23% at 250 µg/mL and 11.02% at 500 µg/mL. LC-MS/MS analysis similarly showed lower A2E concentrations in Eyevistar®-treated cells.
Transmission electron microscopy provided structural confirmation. UV-exposed cells contained numerous electron-dense lipofuscin granules, while cells treated with Eyevistar® showed visibly reduced accumulation. The animal study demonstrated a comparable response, with dose-dependent lipofuscin reduction and preserved retinal architecture.
588.6 → 202.7
VEGF (ng/L) at 10 mg/kg
20.4 → 12.7
HSP60 (ng/mL) at 10 mg/kg
13.6 → 5.8
ARMS2 (ng/mL) at 10 mg/kg
6.4 → 4.0
Lipofuscin (ng/mL) at 10 mg/kg
These changes suggest that Eyevistar® may help interrupt the cycle of oxidative stress, phototoxic waste accumulation, mitochondrial dysfunction and abnormal vascular signaling associated with retinal degeneration.
From marigold flower to macular deposition
- 01
Marigold flower, Tagetes erecta L.
- 02
Eyevistar® standardized extract — 20% lutein + 4% zeaxanthin
- 03
Intestinal absorption and lipoprotein transport
- 04
Increased plasma availability
- 05
Lutein and zeaxanthin deposition in the macula
Three complementary pathways
Optical
Blue-light filtration by macular pigment reduces phototoxic exposure to photoreceptors and retinal pigment epithelial cells.
Antioxidant
Reactive oxygen species neutralization together with restoration of SOD, CAT, GPX and total antioxidant capacity reduces oxidative damage.
Cellular Protection
Reduced A2E and lipofuscin accumulation with lower VEGF, HSP60 and ARMS2 reduces retinal and mitochondrial stress.
Under retinal stress
Low macular lutein and zeaxanthin, elevated ROS, reduced antioxidant enzymes, increased A2E, lipofuscin accumulation, retinal thickening and elevated VEGF.
With Eyevistar®
Restored macular carotenoids, stronger antioxidant defenses, lower A2E and lipofuscin, reduced stress biomarkers and preserved retinal structure.
What this means for product development
Eyevistar® delivers lutein and zeaxanthin in a standardized 20% and 4% composition, allowing formulators to provide both primary macular carotenoids through a single marigold-derived ingredient.
Its mechanism is not limited to one biological target. Eyevistar® supports ocular health through carotenoid delivery to the macula, blue-light filtration, reactive oxygen species control, endogenous antioxidant enzyme support and the reduction of A2E and lipofuscin accumulation. This multimodal activity makes it relevant for finished formulations positioned around:
- Macular pigment support
- Retinal antioxidant protection
- Healthy visual aging
- Protection from light-associated oxidative stress
- Long-term retinal integrity
- Visual performance support
Formulate around a multimodal macular carotenoid
Request the mechanism dossier, a technical consultation or an Eyevistar® sample.