Dr. Dilip Gosh of the NZ Hort Research:

“Of all the beneficial bio-medicinal functions of anthocyanins, the effect on vision was one of the first reported.”

A study conducted by Dr. H. Matsumoto & team, from the Bioscience Laboratories, Meiji Seika Kaisha, found that Anthocyanin compounds D3R & C3R, which exclusively contained in the cassis berry, helps the relaxation of the ciliary muscle (CM), and thus helps in improving nearsightedness (Myopia) condition.

Four main anthocyanin compounds -
exclusivel contained in the blackcurrant

Anthocyanin analysia of blackcurrants &
blueberries

Subject:
Bovine ciliary smooth muscle isolated from the eyeball was contracted in vitro and given cassis berry anthocyanins.

Study:
In nearsightedness, the ciliary muscle cannot relax enough to allow focusing on distant objects. A study found that delphinidin-3-rutinoside (D3R), one of the four major anthocyanins contained in the blackcurrant, produces sustained and progressive relaxation during contraction induced by endothelin (proteins that constrict blood vessels and raise blood pressure), and thus may potentially help with the nearsightedness condition.

During tests, significant amounts of anthocyanins were transferred into the choroid (vascular layer of the eye) and retina, as well as into the ciliary body (circumferential tissue inside the eye) after systemic administration of blackcurrant.

Result:
Anthocyanins components isolated from the berry were shown to activate the ET-1 receptor, which resulted in relaxation of the bovine ciliary smooth muscle. It was confirmed that D3R relaxed the tension of ciliary smooth muscle moderately and continuously.

Furthermore, Dr. H. Matsumoto and his team discovered that orally administered delphinidin-3-rutinoside (D3R) and cyanidin-3-rutinoside (C3R) appeared in the blood as the intact forms. Results indicated that 3-O-β-rutinosyl anthocyanins were directly absorbed and distributed to the blood.

Reference: Matsumoto, H., Kamm, K. E., Stull, J. T., & Azuma, H. (2005). Delphinidin-3-rutinoside relaxes the bovine ciliary smooth muscle through activation of ETB receptor and NO/cGMP pathway. Experimental Eye Research, 80, 313–322.

As compared to Bilberry extract, Cassis Berry is more effective in fighting H2O2 free radicals(from digital screen and UV light) and may be combat vision illnesses

The graph shown that H202 scavenging activities are higher in New Zealand Blackcurrants than in Bilberry extract. A great deal of scientific research shows that the use of computers, and video display terminals can leads to free radicals and hydrogen peroxide (H202) damage, which are a leading cause in many of today’s common illnesses including vision deterioration - which include: blurring of distant objects, eye strain and astenopia (visual fatigue).

The accumulation of too many free radicals in the body (particularly the H2O2 forming in the eye) can result in severe impaired vision. Cassis berry’s high content of anthocyanins is well-known to be very effective in fighting H2O2 free radicals – which help maintain and improve a healthy vision.

Cassis Berry Anthocyanin may improve Night Vision. Study shown that Cassis Berry Anthocyanoside can improve on Dark Adaptation in Healthy Humans

Subject:
12 healthy volunteer, average 33 years old

Study:
Double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover study wash out is 10 days. In a study of dark adaptation, subjects were given a 12.5 mg, 20 mg, or 50 mg dose of cassis anthocyanins. In each group, the ability of the eyes to adapt to the dark improved, although the 50 mg dose had the largest improvement. In a study with a video display terminal, subjects who received 50 mg of cassis anthocyanosides experienced no decline in visual health after using the computer, whereas the placebo group’s visual health declined.

Result:
In the dark adaptation study, intakes of cassis berry anthocyanosides appeared to bring about dose-dependent lowering of the dark adaptation threshold. Comparing the refraction values for the dominant eye, cassis berry anthocyanoside intake resulted in no decrease in the average value after the visuall task, whereas the placebo trial resulted in a large decrease in average value. Cassis berry anthocyanoside intake also improved in eye and lower back symtoms.

Conclusion: Oral intake of cassis berry anthocyanosides brought about the reduction of the dark adaptation threshold and promoted recovery from or served to prevent video terminal and work-induced transient refractive alteration and subjective symptoms of visual fatigue in healthy subjects.

Reference: Nakaishi H, et al. Effects of black currant anthocyanoside intakes on dark adaptation and VDT work induced transient refractive alteration in healthy humans. Alternative Medicine Review 2000;5(6):1–10.

Improvement of Dark Circle Under the Eyes by Cassis Berry Anthocyanins Intake

Abstract:
The effect of oral intake of a blackcurrant polyphenol on shade ring under the eyes were examined in a double blind randomized placebo-controlled, cross over study with 33 healthy woman subjects. In evaluation using laser Doppler perfusion imager, a significant improvement of skin blood circulation was observed in the group taking 140 mg polyphenol (50 mg anthocyanin), in contrast to no change in the placebo group. This improvement of blood circulation was accompanied by significant difference in melanin index, erythema index and skin brightness on lower eyelid. These results indicate that major factor of dark circle formation may be insufficiency of blood circulation.

Result:
Intake of blackcurrant polyphenol is useful in reducing the dark\circle under the eyes.

Reference: Ichihashi M, Matsumoto H. Ito, K. Yonekura, K., (2005). Improvement of Shade Ring Under the Eyes by Blackcurrant Polyphenol Intake. Nihon Hifuka Gakkai Osaka Chihokai, ISSN 0018-1390, vol 4, Issue 5, 492-49

Study Finds Anthocyanins Improve Eye Fatigue

A recent double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, crossovers study done by Meiji University, tested 21 healthy volunteers (age 20-25), giving 50mg of anthocyanin and placer for 2 groups 2 hour before task. And do the measurement again 2 hours later after extensive screen and PC use. As a conclusion, the Cassis anthocyanin group showed dramatic reductions in all five areas of fatigue.

Reference: Nakaishi, et. al., Altern.Med.Rev., 5(6), 553-562, 2000 (Clinical Study)

Cassis Beat Bilberry Anthocyanidins On Refraction Values

An additional section of this Meiji study gave 10 healthy volunteers 40 mg of New Zealand Cassis anthocyanidins, bilberry anthocyanindins, or placebo two hours before screen use. The Cassis anthocyanidins offered a significantly increased refraction value, leading to improved sight and vision during screen and terminal work, while the bilberry subjects had deteriorated refraction values.

Reference: H.Matsumoto et. Al Japan Pharmacol. Ther. 35(5) 447-455, 2007

Two-year randomized, placebo-controlled study of black currant anthocyanins on visual field in glaucoma. Oral intake of Cassis berry anthocyanins improves the blood flow in the optic nerve head and the retina.

Department of Ophthalmology, Sapporo Medical University School of Medicine, Sapporo, Japan. ooguro @ sapmed.ac.jp

AIM:
To examine the influence of the cassis berry anthocyanins (BCACs) on the disease progression of open-angle glaucoma (OAG), a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-masked trial was made in 38 patients with OAG treated by antiglaucoma drops.

Methods:
BCACs (50 mg/day, n = 19) or their placebos (n = 19) were orally administered once daily for a 24-month period. Systemic blood pressure, pulse rates, intraocular pressure (IOP), ocular blood circulation by laser-speckle flowgraphy, and Humphrey visual field mean deviation (MD) were measured during the 24-month period.

Result:
As a main outcome measurement, we evaluated the difference between the groups in MD deterioration in the eye with a better MD from the trial's baseline through 24 months. A statistically significant difference was observed between the treatment groups in mean change from baseline in MD 24 months after therapy (p = 0.039, unpaired t test). Upon administration of BCACs, the ocular blood flows during the 24-month observational period increased in comparison with placebo-treated patients. However, no significant changes were observed in systemic and ocular conditions including IOP during the 24-month period.

Conclusion:
Our results suggest that oral administration of BCACs may be a safe and promising supplement for patients with OAG in addition to antiglaucoma medication.

Reference: Ohguro H, Ohguro I, Katai M, Tanaka S (2012) “Two-year randomized, placebo-controlled study of cassis berry anthocyanins on visual field in glaucoma.” Ophthalmologica.;228(1):26-35

Effects of black currant anthocyanins on intraocular pressure in healthy volunteers and patients with glaucoma.

Department of Ophthalmology, Sapporo Medical University School of Medicine, Sapporo, Japan. ooguro@sapmed.ac.jp

Purpose:
The purpose of the present study was to elucidate the effects of oral administration of black currant anthocyanins (BCACs) on intraocular pressure (IOP) in both healthy subjects and patients with

Methods:
(1) A placebo-controlled, double-masked, crossover study (n=12) was conducted, during which BCACs (50 mg/day) or placebos were orally administered to 12 healthy subjects once daily for 4 weeks. (2) A total of 21 glaucoma patients (BCACs, n=12; placebo, n=9) treated with a single antiglaucoma medication who had participated in a previous study (a randomized, double-masked, placebo-controlled trial, Ophthalmologica 2012) were selected and analyzed. Systemic blood pressure, pulse rates, IOP, and Humphrey visual-field mean deviation (MD) (program 30-2, SITA standard) were evaluated.

Result:
(1) A statistically significant decrease in the mean IOP was observed at 2 weeks (P=0.002, paired t-test) and 4 weeks (P=0.039, paired t-test) from the baseline in BCAC-treated healthy subjects. This decrease, however, was not observed in the placebo group. In addition, at 2 weeks after the baseline, changes were also statistically significant between the groups (P=0.027, paired t-test). (2) Intergroup and between-group analyses revealed statistically significant decreases in mean IOP in the glaucoma patients taking BCACs (P=0.027, paired t-test; P=0.024, unpaired t-test) at 24 months after the baseline. In addition, mean changes of MD deterioration were significantly less in BCAC glaucoma patients administered with BCACs at 12 months (P=0.017, Mann-Whitney U test) and 18 months (P=0.050, Mann-Whitney U test) after the baseline. No clinically significant changes were observed in systemic blood pressure or pulse rates in either trial.

Conclusion:
Our results suggested that oral administration of BCACs may induce a beneficial decrease in IOP levels in healthy subjects as well as in patients with glaucoma.

Reference: Ohguro H, Ohguro I, Yagi S. Effects of black currant anthocyanins on intraocular pressure in healthy volunteers and patients with glaucoma. J Ocul Pharmacol Ther. 2013 Feb;29(1):61-7. doi: 10.1089/jop.2012.0071. Epub 2012 Oct 9. PubMed PMID: 23046438.

New Zealand blackcurrants are highly nutritious, rich in Vitamin A, Vitamin C and potassium, anthocyanins, organic acids, bioflavonoids and total phenolics. They also contain moderate quantities of Vitamin B1 (thiamine) and Vitamin B3 (Niacin) and calcium.
In a comparative study New Zealand blackcurrants had a greater amount of anthocyanins and phenolics than European Bilberry and more than 2 x times the amount of North American Blueberry. They also showed much higher levels of Vitamin C than either of these fruit.

The Comparison of Bioavailability between Cassis Berry & Bilberry

A comparison is done by Dr. Hitoshi Matsumoto, Food and Health R & D Laboratories, Meiji Seika Kaisha, Ltd on the anthocyanin component between cassis berry and bilberry. Based on the finding, it shown that

The Anthocyanin compounds delphinidin-3-rutinoside (D3R) & Cyanidin-3-rutinoside (C3R), is exclusively contained in the cassis berry, these components is proven that have a positive effect on vision improvement.