Combination of carotenoids and epi-lutein

Abstract

The invention describes the preparation and use of carotenoid and epi-lutein compositions to treat various ocular diseases.

1 - 6 . (canceled) 
     
     
         7 . A composition comprising:
 a mixture of consisting of from about 5 to about 95 weight percent purified epi-lutein or esters thereof and from about 95 to about 5 weight percent a purified carotenoid or esters thereof; and   a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.   
     
     
         8 . The composition of  claim 7 , wherein the carotenoid is selected from the group consisting of lutein, zeaxanthin, β,β-carotene, violaxanthin, neoxanthin, astaxanthin, lycopene, canthaxanthin, capsanthin and capsorubin. 
     
     
         9 . The composition of  claim 7 , further comprising a vitamin. 
     
     
         10 . The composition of  claim 9 , wherein the vitamin is selected from the group consisting of vitamin A, B vitamins, vitamin C, vitamin D, vitamin E, vitamin K and folic acid.
 5. The composition of claim  1 , further comprising a biologically-acceptable mineral.   
     
     
         11 . The composition of  claim 10 , wherein the biologically-acceptable mineral is selected from the group consisting of iron, calcium, magnesium, potassium, copper, chromium, zinc, molybdenum, iodine, boron, selenium, manganese, derivatives thereof. 
     
     
         12 . The composition of  claim 7 , further comprising an additive selected from the group consisting of hyaluronic acid, phospholipids, antioxidants, amino acids, proteins, flavorings, coloring agents and derivatives thereof. 
     
     
         13 . The composition of  claim 7 , further comprising an antioxidant selected from the group consisting of tocopherols, flavonoids, catechins, superoxide dismutase, lecithin, gamma oryzanol; vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, camosol, camosic acid, rosmanol, proanthocyanidins and green tea extract. 
     
     
         14 . The composition of  claim 7 , formulated for oral administration. 
     
     
         15 . The composition of  claim 7 , formulated for buccal administration. 
     
     
         16 . The composition of  claim 7 , formulated for systemic administration. 
     
     
         17 . The composition of  claim 7 , formulated for transdermal administration. 
     
     
         18 . The composition of  claim 7 , formulated for rectal or vaginal administration. 
     
     
         19 . The composition of  claim 7 , formulated for administration by inhalation or insufflation. 
     
     
         20 . The composition of  claim 7 , comprising 0.1-50 mg purified epi-lutein.