Spring into Action: Discover the Benefits of Ectoine

When spring is in the air, so are pollens and allergens that may trigger runny noses, sneezing, and itchy eyes. In fact, 1 in 4 Canadians experience allergies. [1] Yet, many with nasal allergies (rhinitis) remain unhappy with their treatment options. [2]

Ocular allergies can also be associated with nasal allergies, which may lead to further overall irritation and eye discomfort. That’s why effective treatment for ocular allergies is more important than ever!

From Salt Lakes in Egypt

Unfamiliar to many, ectoine may not be a household name, yet for those who struggle with allergies, ectoine holds exciting potential.

Ectoine was first discovered in 1985 by Dr. Galinski and his colleagues in Wadi El-Natrun, a desert valley in Egypt, known for its alkaline lakes rich in natron salt deposits. [3]

Seemingly inhospitable to life, but microorganisms still exist in the lakes.

Taking a closer look at one bacterium in the lakes, Ectothiorhodospira halochloris, Dr. Galinski’s team discovered that this bacterium produces ectoine. Later, it was found to play a crucial role in survival under extreme weather conditions. [3]

To describe in a nutshell, ectoine is an extremolyte—small molecules that protect cells under extreme, inhabitable conditions. With high affinity for water, ectoine-water complex surrounds cellular compartments and acts like a safeguard. [4]

This process ‘preferentially excludes’ unnecessary molecules. Ectoine shields the internal environment of cells to stabilize them, provide hydration, and regulate osmolarity—balance of water and salt! This is how microorganisms survive in salt lakes. Ectoine helps to retain water and keep salt away from the cells. [4]

Beyond its role as an extremolyte in microorganisms, ectoine has shown some benefits for cosmetics and nonpharmacological treatment options such as nasal and ocular use to relieve allergies.

Ectoine’s Use in Ophthalmology

Ectoine’s unique mode of action offers multiple benefits such as stabilizing the lipid layer of the tear film, reducing tear evaporation and keeping your eyes well-hydrated. [5,6] In addition, the stabilization of the tear film via ectoine may help reduce triggering of allergic reactions to allergens. [7]

This dual action of protecting the eyes from allergens while ensuring hydration provides long-term comfort and allergy relief.

Spring into Action with HYLO-DUAL® mini and HYLO-DUAL®!

When ocular allergy symptoms present, eye drops like HYLO-DUAL® mini and HYLO-DUAL®, containing ectoine, may help with relief of the symptoms.

Preservative-free HYLO-DUAL® mini and HYLO-DUAL® provide proven allergy + dry eye relief:

• Ectoine relieves allergy symptoms, such as itching and burning [7,8]

• High-quality Sodium Hyaluronate brings long-lasting lubrication [9]

• Can be used while wearing contact lenses & sterile for 6 months after first use

Now available in two pack sizes, HYLO-DUAL® mini is available in a starter pack size with 5mL (150 drops), and HYLO-DUAL® with 10mL (300 drops) provides long-term use for loyal users.

Curious to experience the benefits of ectoine? Find HYLO-DUAL® mini and HYLO-DUAL® Canada-wide at pharmacies, behind the counter, and at selected optometry and ophthalmology clinics!

Feel the Difference with HYLO-DUAL® mini and HYLO-DUAL®!

Should you have any concerns about your eye health, please consult with your eye health professional for medical assistance.

CandorVision™ – Your eyes are everything!

Discover HYLO-DUAL®

References:

1. Brule S, McDiarmid C, McDonald H. Health Fact Sheets Chronic Conditions, 2017. [Internet]. Government of Canada, Statistics Canada; 2018 [cited 2024 Feb 7]. Available from: https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/pub/82-625-x/2018001/article/54983-eng.htm

2. Keith PK, Desrosiers M, Laister T, Schellenberg RR, Waserman S. The burden of allergic rhinitis (AR) in Canada: perspectives of physicians and patients. Allergy Asthma Clin Immunol. 2012 Jun 1;8(1):7. doi: 10.1186/1710-1492-8-7. PMID: 22656186; PMCID: PMC3490734.  

3. Galinski EA, Pfeiffer HP, Trüper HG. 1,4,5,6-Tetrahydro-2-methyl-4-pyrimidinecarboxylic acid. A novel cyclic amino acid from halophilic phototrophic bacteria of the genus Ectothiorhodospira. Eur J Biochem. 1985 May 15;149(1):135-9. doi: 10.1111/j.1432-1033.1985.tb08903.x. PMID: 3838936. 

4. Bownik A, Stępniewska Z. Ectoine as a promising protective agent in humans and animals. Arh Hig Rada Toksikol. 2016 Dec 1;67(4):260-265. doi: 10.1515/aiht-2016-67-2837. PMID: 28033102.  

5. Dwivedi M, Backers H, Harishchandra RK, Galla HJ. Biophysical investigations of the structure and function of the tear fluid lipid layer and the effect of ectoine. Part A: natural meibomian lipid films. Biochim Biophys Acta. 2014 Oct;1838(10):2708-15. doi: 10.1016/j.bbamem.2014.05.011. Epub 2014 May 17. PMID: 24841755. 

6. Dwivedi M, Brinkkötter M, Harishchandra RK, Galla HJ. Biophysical investigations of the structure and function of the tear fluid lipid layers and the effect of ectoine. Part B: artificial lipid films. Biochim Biophys Acta. 2014 Oct;1838(10):2716-27. doi: 10.1016/j.bbamem.2014.05.007. Epub 2014 May 20. PMID: 24853656. 

7. Salapatek AM, Werkhäuser N, Ismail B, Mösges R, Raskopf E, Bilstein A. Effects of ectoine containing nasal spray and eye drops on symptoms of seasonal allergic rhinoconjunctivitis. Clin Transl Allergy. 2021 Mar;11(1):e12006. doi: 10.1002/clt2.12006. PMID: 33900046; PMCID: PMC8099269. 

8. Allegri P, Marrazzo G, Ciurlo C, Mastromarino A, Autuori S, Murialdo U. Retrospective study to evaluate the efficacy on vernal kerato-conjunctivitis (VKC) of 2% Ectoine versus 0.05% ketotifen eye-drops. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2014 Apr; 55(13):2492.

9. Müller-Lierheim WGK. Why Chain Length of Hyaluronan in Eye Drops Matters. Diagnostics (Basel). 2020 Jul 23;10(8):511. doi: 10.3390/diagnostics10080511. PMID: 32717869; PMCID: PMC7459843.