GUSTAVO A. SERRANO*, MARCO NARDUCCI
*Corresponding author
AstaREAL Co., Ltd. The Front Tower Shiba Koen, 12th, 2-6-3 Shiba Koen, Minato-ku Tokyo 105-0011,
Japan

Abstract

Astaxanthin, strong free radical scavenging activity carotenoid, protects cells structures, such as lipid membrane and mitochondria against lipid peroxidation. Experimental studies and abundant clinical trial results have shown that the oral supplementation of natural astaxanthin from Haematococcus pluvialis has a health benefits on heart, liver, kidney, stomach and also on eye function. In this paper some of the most important clinical study results are shown, these studies supported Astaxanthin’s protective action and efficacy on eyes from free radicals.

INTRODUCTION

Carotenoids is a family of over 600-lipid soluble plant pigments, which are responsible for the red color of tomatoes, the orange color of carrots and yellow color of mangoes. 
The carotenoid pigment, astaxanthin (3,3-dihydroxy-β-carotene-4,4’-dione) is the main pigment found in aquatic animals, and is also present in crabs, crayfish, krill, lobster, salmon, shrimp, and trout; astaxanthin is also the responsible for the beautiful red pigmentation to flamingo feathers and retinas of quail (1). 
Astaxanthin is commonly harvested and commercially grown from the microalgae Haematococcus pluvialis, and also is well-known because its strong free radical scavenging activity. Astaxanthin protects cell membranes, and tissues against lipid peroxidation and oxidative damage caused by Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS). Epidemiological and clinical studies have demonstrated that natural astaxanthin can alleviate symptoms related to computer vision syndrome (CVS); relieve eye fatigue (2),(3), improve quality of vision (4); reduce eye irritation and blurred vision (5); and also m ...