Guarana (Paullinia cupana): Cytoprotective effects on age-related eye dysfunction

• Published in: Journal of functional foods Vol. 36; pp. 375 - 386
• Main Authors: Bonadiman, Beatriz da Silva Rosa, Cadoná, Francine Carla, Assmann, Charles Elias, Weis, Grazielle Castagna Cezimbra, de Oliveira Alves, Audrei, Duarte, Marta Frescura, Chaves, Cláudia Maria, do Carmo Chaves, Cláudio, dos Santos Motta, Kennya Márcia, Ribeiro, Euler Esteves, Bagatini, Margarete Dulce, da Cruz, Ivana Beatrice Mânica
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01.09.2017; Elsevier
• Subjects: Eye disorders; Eye quality; Guarana; Macular degeneration; Riparian elderly; Visual loss; Macular degeneration; Eye quality; Guarana; Riparian elderly; Visual loss; Eye disorders
• ISSN: 1756-4646; 2214-9414
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jff.2017.07.027

[Display omitted] •Self-reported good eye vision was associated with higher frequency of guarana intake.•Superoxide anion generated by Paraquat causes oxidative stress in retinal cells.•Guarana extract decreased in vitro oxidative damage in retinal cells.•Minimal guarana dosis prevented cytotoxic effects caused by Paraquat.•Guarana could improve age-related disorders such as aged-related macular degeneration. Ageing can cause disorders such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD), which leads to irreversible visual loss in elderly people. Given that nutrition may influence some age-related disorders, this study investigated, in vivo, the association between self-reported eyesight quality and daily guarana intake in riparian elderly subjects and, in vitro, the effects of guarana (Paullinia cupana) on retinal pigmented epithelium (RPE) cells exposed to paraquat. Just over half of the elderly subjects self-reported poor vision (n=320, 50.8%), 234 (37.1%) self-reported regular eyesight, whereas just 76 (12.1%) self-reported good vision. Subjects that self-reported good vision presented a higher frequency of habitual guarana consumption. Guarana treatment was able to decrease apoptosis and necrosis events and differentially modulate gene expression and protein levels of caspases 1, 3 and 8 in RPE cells. This work provides new perspectives on the potential use of guarana against eye diseases due to its cytoprotective effects.