DESIGN AND IN VITRO EVALUATION OF A NUTRACEUTICAL TABLET CONTAINING MIXED CAROTENOIDS FOR OCULAR HEALTH SUPPORT

Karan Singh Rathore*, Prof. Dr. Pankaj Kumar Sharma, Prof. Dr. Jaya Sharma, Prof. Dr. Pankaj Sharma, Mr. Balbeer Singh

ABSTRACT

As populations grow older, the growing prevalence causes these humanoeconomic high personal, social and economic costs diseases to develop. Eye-care capabilities may not be available especially in low middle-income countries. The macula part of the retina (the central part of your retina allowing you to read or listen), consumes more oxygen than any part of the body and is exposed to very bright light. Because of this combination, it is susceptible to damage from reactive oxygen species generated during normal visual activity. Through the years, oxidative stress causes the degeneration of photoreceptors and retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), resulting in AMD. Carotenoids cannot be formulated into a tablet because of its physicochemical properties. All three of the active ingredients are classified as BCS Class II which means that they will easily cross biological membranes but poorly soluble in the water. The extended conjugated double-bond system is highly sensitive to light, heat, and oxygen and thus destructs before it reaches the patient. To ensure stability, it is necessary to carefully select excipients and processing conditions. Pro-vitamin A tablet was produced through a technique called direct compression. The direct compression was preferred over wet granulation due to moisture and heat action of wet granulation, which is harmful to carotenoids. Both factors amplify the degradation of carotenoids.

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