Omega-3 fatty acids supplements for dry eye - Are they effective or ineffective?

Purpose: To evaluate effectiveness of omega-3 fatty acid supplements in relieving dry eye symptoms and signs in symptomatic visual display terminal users (VDT). Methods: A randomized controlled study was done; eyes of 470 VDT users were randomized to receive four capsules twice daily for 6 months (O3FAgroup), each containing 180 mg of eicosapentaenoic acid and 120 mg docosahexaenoic acid. The O3FA group was compared with another group (n = 480) who received four capsules of a placebo (olive oil) twice daily. Patients were evaluated at baseline, 1, 3, and 6 months, respectively. The primary outcome was improvement in omega-3 index (a measure of EPA and DHA ratio in RBC membrane). Secondary outcomes were improvement dry eye symptoms, Nelson grade on conjunctival impression cytology, Schirmer test values, tear film breakup time (TBUT), and tear film osmolarity. Means of groups (pre-treatment, 1, 3, and 6-months) were compared with repeated measure analysis of variance. Results: At baseline, 81% patients had low omega-3 index. In the O3FA group, a significant increase in omega-3 index, improvement in symptoms, reduction in tear film osmolarity, and increase in Schirmer, TBUT, and goblet cell density was observed. These changes were not significant in the placebo group. Improvement in test parameters was significantly (P < 0.001) better in patients with low omega3 index (<4%) subgroup. Conclusion: Dietary omega-3 fatty acids are effective for dry eye in VDT users; omega-3 index appears to be the predictor to identify potential dry eye patients who are likely to benefit from oral omega-3 dietary intervention.

Phytochemical-loaded liposomes for anticancer therapy: an updated review.

The major obstacles observed in current chemotherapy are severe adverse effects, narrow therapeutic indexes and multidrug resistance. Anticancer phytochemicals are extracted and purified from natural plants, providing alternative therapeutic approaches with recognized biomedical benefits. However, poor bioavailability, high dose requirements and non-specific targeting have made those molecules less effective. To tackle those issues, liposomal nanovesicles for phytochemical delivery are taken into consideration for improving the therapeutic effectiveness by increasing transportation across cell barriers and conferring attractive cancer-specific targeting capabilities. In the present review, the liposomal approaches of anticancer phytochemicals are discussed, and recent advances in these formulations applied to cancer phytotherapy are further reviewed by an informed approach.

This review describes the application of liposomal phyto-chemotherapy as a promising therapeutic and technological intervention against cancer that has the potential to enhance the effectiveness of cancer therapy, reduce the associated side effects and improve the clinical outcomes of cancer patients.