Researchers have for some-time been interested in the potential of tamarind seed polysaccharide (TSP) as a treatment for dry eye symptoms. There are good reasons why TSP is bringing smiles to the faces of scientists tasked with developing solutions that give dry eye sufferers longer lasting relief. Read on to find out more ….
What does the research say?
After detailed data analysis a study concluded ‘that TSP might, over a period of time, produce improvement in tear film stability, thereby improving eye conditions and overall patient quality of life’. This is certainly good news for dry eye sufferers looking for more sustained relief from their symptoms. A further study went on to demonstrate that dry eye drops using polysaccharides, like TSP, could improve both the natural tear stability and production in dry eye sufferers during just a 2-week treatment period.
What exactly is TSP?
Tamarind seed polysaccharide or TSP occurs naturally in Tamarindus indica, also known as the Tamarind tree. This plant originated in tropical Africa but it also grows in other tropical regions including India. It produces a brown pod-like fruit which, as well as being highly nutritious, has been used in traditional medicine for many centuries. There is documentation to show that tamarind was cultivated in Egypt as far back as 400 BC.
Because Tamarind has numerous chemical constituents and is rich in phytochemicals it is used in many traditional medicines. It’s ingredients have antioxidant, anti-fungal, anti-bacterial, and anti-viral properties, among other benefits. But what is most interesting when it comes to dry eye is its’ components which are similar to the mucin found in our natural tears – which makes it mucomimetic.
What does it mean to be mucomimetic?
Mucomimetic means that TSP will behave like our natural mucin which is an important component of our natural tears. Mucin forms the base layer of the eyes natural moisturising protection – our tear-film. Our natural mucin plays an essential role in anchoring our tears to the eyes surface (cornea) helping keep eyes moist and protected for longer. TSP possesses not just mucomimetic properties but mucoadhesive and pseudoplastic properties too. The 'mucin-like' behaviour may help explain why it has the potential to increase the time an eye drop is held in the eye.
Is it safe to use?
TSP is a naturally occurring plant extract, and like your natural mucins TSP has been clinically shown to be very well tolerated. The lack of adverse events in studies makes TSP a suitable choice for frequent use, something that is especially important for those with moderate to severe dry eye symptoms.
DRY EYE ZONE, as dry eye experts, also want to highlight that there are other important considerations when selecting a dry eye drop such as avoiding preservatives and getting the pH just right. Your eye care professional will be able to advise you, but there is also more information about what to look for in a dry eye drop here.
How is TSP being used in dry eye drops now?
Later studies looked at the impact of combining TSP with hyaluronic acid one of natures own super-hydrators. The TSP-HA combination had the potential to deliver a new level of dry eye drop efficacy by delivering more moisture for longer. The study results showed the new combination to be effective in improving the symptoms of dry eye. In fact, when looking at the TSP-HA results they achieved statistically significant improvements in symptom relief compared to the controls (which included HA only dry eye drops).
Where can I get a TSP containing dry eye drop?
DRY EYE ZONE has embraced these research results, HydraMed dry eye drops utilise this technology to help bring longer lasting relief to those every day dry eye symptoms.
If you would like to try a TSP-HA containing eye drop then visit DRY EYE ZONE where you can learn more about HydraMed and how it perform.
And don’t forget to visit DRY EYE ZONE and subscribe to the regular free information updates.
If you are experiencing dry eye symptoms then you should ask the advice of your eye care professional. Why not book your next eye examination with an independent optician today.
Sources:
Rolando M, Valente C. Establishing the tolerability and performance of tamarind seed polysaccharide (TSP) in treating dry eye syndrome: results of a clinical study. BMC Ophthalmol. 2007 Mar 29;7:5. doi: 10.1186/1471-2415-7-5. PMID: 17394642; PMCID: PMC1859988.
Barabino S, Rolando M, Nardi M, Bonini S, Aragona P, Traverso CE. The effect of an artificial tear combining hyaluronic acid and tamarind seeds polysaccharide in patients with moderate dry eye syndrome: a new treatment for dry eye. Eur J Ophthalmol. 2014 Mar-Apr;24(2):173-8. doi: 10.5301/ejo.5000355. Epub 2013 Sep 9. PMID: 24030535.
Nozari, N., & Ramin, S. (2021). The effect of tamarind seed polysaccharidecontaining eye drop in dry eye syndrome: Results of an interventional, comparative, clinical study. Medical Hypothesis, Discovery & Innovation in Optometry.
Bhadoriya SS, Ganeshpurkar A, Narwaria J, Rai G, Jain AP. Tamarindus indica: Extent of explored potential. Pharmacogn Rev. 2011 Jan;5(9):73-81. doi: 10.4103/0973-7847.79102. PMID: 22096321; PMCID: PMC3210002.
Comments