Lanosterol
Lanosterol occurs naturally in the eyes of mammals and has been shown to prevent the aggregation of proteins that cause cataracts. Unfortunately, a number of factors can reduce the body’s natural production of lanosterol, such as: advanced age, genetics, environment, trauma to the eye, or an untreated disease (e.g. diabetes). The good news is studies have shown the eye’s own lanosterol can be supplemented, and the progression of cataracts can be slowed, halted or even reversed. The challenge is that the lanosterol molecule is insoluble. As such, researchers could only deliver it to the eye’s lens via injection, which is impractical outside of a laboratory setting. Faced with this challenge, a Chemical Engineer from the University of Maryland discovered a method to make lanosterol soluble so it could be administered topically in a solution. The resulting product, LumenPro eye drops, has sold over 30,000 bottles, and has improved the vision and quality of life of thousands of dogs and other pets.
The most well known study of the effects of lanosterol on cataracts was published in 2015 in Nature, by Dr. Kang Zhang and his team of researchers at the University of California at San Diego. The study’s methods were to a) inject a lanosterol solution into animal lenses, and b) intermittently soak the lenses in a lanosterol solution. The study concluded that lanosterol is highly effective at reversing cataracts. However, it is not practical for consumers to repeatedly inject lanosterol into their pet’s eyes. Instead, a method needed to be developed to deliver lanosterol to the lens topically. In 2017 we developed such a method. When administered topically, our patent-pending formula delivers a therapeutic dose of lanosterol to the lens of the eye, where cataracts develop.
Before and After Results of a Lanosterol Study
Ling Zhao; Xiang-Jun Chen; Jie Zhu; Yi-Bo Xi; Xu Yang; Li-Dan Hu; Hong Ouyang; Sherrina H. Patel; Xin Jin; Danni Lin; Frances Wu; Ken Flagg; Huimin Cai; Gen Li; Guiqun Cao; Ying Lin; Daniel Chen; Cindy Wen; Christopher Chung; Yandong Wang; Austin Qiu; Emily Yeh; Wenqiu Wang; Xun Hu; Seanna Grob; et al. (July 2015). “Lanosterol reverses protein aggregation in cataracts”. Nature. doi:10.1038/nature14650.
N-Acetylcarnosine
N-acetylcarnosine, or NAC, is a powerful free-radical scavenger commonly used in mammals to prevent and treat cataracts. NAC is particularly effective at stopping the aggregation of glycoprotein compounds that form cataracts. As the progression of the cataract is halted, the cataract slowly breaks down over time.
Unfortunately, NAC alone can take as long as 9 months to produce noticeable results. We believe that NAC is best used as a complement to the faster acting lanosterol.
Lanosterol Delivery System
The effectiveness of LumenPro lies entirely in our novel drug delivery system, which is pending patent approval with the United States Patent and Trademark Office. LumenPro’s ingredients conform with monographs for over-the-counter eye drops published by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration; but the exact formula is a trade secret.
