KR20240055547A - Composition For Preventing Or Treating Eye Diseases Comprising Rehmanniae Radix Extract - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention provides a pharmaceutical composition for preventing or treating eye diseases containing dried Rehmannia glutinosa extract as an active ingredient. The composition containing the dried Rehmannia glutinosa extract of the present invention has excellent activity in inhibiting the death of retinal pigment epithelial cells caused by A2E accumulated and oxidized in retinal pigment epithelial cells, and is therefore used for preventing or treating eye diseases such as macular degeneration. It can be used as

Description

Composition for preventing or treating eye diseases comprising dried Rehmanniae Radix Extract {Composition For Preventing Or Treating Eye Diseases Comprising Rehmanniae Radix Extract}

The present invention relates to a composition for preventing or treating eye diseases containing dried Rehmannia glutinosa extract.

Since the eyes are the most important sense organ, functional disability or loss of the eyes is one of the biggest factors that reduces the quality of life. Modern people spend most of their time in front of various digital screens such as computers and smartphones, and as LEDs are frequently used in smart device screens, eye health is worsening due to blue light.

Blue light is a blue light in the 400-500 nm range of visible light. If exposed to blue light for a long time, it stimulates the optic nerve, causing eye fatigue and causing various eye diseases. Blue light has high energy and high penetrating power, so when it enters the eye, it focuses opaquely on the retina, reducing clarity, and when exposed chronically, it causes aging and degeneration of the retina. It is known that the effects of blue light on the human body include dry eyes and eye fatigue, decreased vision and various eye diseases, acceleration of retinal aging, macular degeneration, and insomnia due to inhibition of melatonin production.

Due to the action of blue light, metabolic waste by-products accumulate in retinal cells throughout life, and it is known that accumulation occurs most actively in retinal pigment epithelial cells under the central retina where rod cell photoreceptors are concentrated. One of the most important of these metabolic waste by-products is N-retinylidene-N-retinyl-ethanolamine (A2E), a lipofuscin component. At high concentrations, A2E can cause retinal pigmentation. It is a major cause of death of epithelial cells. In addition, even at low concentrations, A2E is photo-oxidized by blue light and changes into epoxide forms, such as peroxy-A2E and furano-A2E. A2E, a highly reactive epoxide form, causes oxidative stress and inflammatory responses, and induces cell death by changing mitochondrial protein activity. As a result, loss of normal retinal pigment epithelial cell function leads to secondary death of photoreceptor cells. In particular, the macula, where photoreceptor cells are densely packed, is severely damaged, causing macular degeneration. In other words, macular degeneration is caused by oxidation of A2E and accumulation of oxidized A2E due to cellular oxidative stress in the retina caused by blue light. In that, macular degeneration is caused by the action of glycation products caused by high blood sugar and angiogenic factors such as VEGF, etc. The cause is different from retinopathy.

Macular degeneration can be broadly divided into two types: dry (non-exudative) macular degeneration and wet (exudative) macular degeneration. Dry macular degeneration accounts for approximately 90% of all macular degeneration patients. Dry macular degeneration is a condition in which waste material called drusen accumulates between the retinal pigment epithelium and Bruch's membrane, causing atrophy or thinning of macular tissue. It is characterized by Meanwhile, wet macular degeneration accounts for about 10% of all patients, and occurs when normal blood and nutrients are not supplied to the macula, causing abnormal new blood vessels to form and rupture, causing blood or mucus to leak into the macula, causing serious vision loss. says It is easy to ignore the early symptoms of dry macular degeneration because they are asymptomatic or are considered presbyopia even if symptoms are present. However, if the progression of dry macular degeneration is not suppressed or treated, vision loss may occur due to persistent retinal damage, and it may progress to wet macular degeneration and lead to blindness, so it is important to prevent dry macular degeneration in the early stages.

Most of the existing eye health products on the market are synthetic treatments (Patent Document 1). However, since long-term use of synthetic compounds can cause side effects, there is a need to develop eye health improvement substances derived from natural products that are conventionally consumed as food instead of artificially synthesized specific compounds.

Republic of Korea Patent Publication No. 10-2338093 (December 7, 2021)

One object of the present invention is to provide a pharmaceutical composition for preventing or treating eye diseases.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a health functional food composition for preventing or improving eye diseases.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a health functional food composition for preventing eye damage.

In order to achieve the above object, one aspect of the present invention provides a pharmaceutical composition for preventing or treating eye diseases containing dried Rehmannia glutinosa extract as an active ingredient.

Another aspect of the present invention provides a health functional food composition for preventing or improving eye diseases containing dried Rehmannia glutinosa extract as an active ingredient.

Another aspect of the present invention provides a health functional food composition for preventing eye damage containing dried Rehmannia glutinosa extract as an active ingredient.

The composition containing the dried Rehmannia glutinosa extract of the present invention has excellent activity in inhibiting the death of retinal pigment epithelial cells caused by A2E accumulated and oxidized in retinal pigment epithelial cells, and is therefore used for preventing or treating eye diseases such as macular degeneration. It can be used as

The effects of the present invention are not limited to the effects mentioned above, and other effects not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following description.

Figure 1 is a graph showing that the cell survival rate decreased by blue light treatment in human retinal pigment epithelial cells ARPE-19 is increased by treatment with the dried Rehmannia glutinosa extract of Preparation Examples 1 to 5.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail.

One aspect of the present invention provides a pharmaceutical composition for preventing or treating eye diseases containing dried Rehmannia glutinosa extract as an active ingredient.

In the present invention, Rehmanniae glutinosa is a perennial herb belonging to the Scrophulariaceae family. Fresh Rehmannia glutinosa harvested and stored in sand is called fresh Rehmannia glutinosa, and its dried roots are called dried Rehmanniae Radix. Dry Rehmanniae that has been steamed and dried nine times is called Rehmanniae Radix Preparata. The dried Rehmannia glutinosa of the present invention is known in the art and includes herbal medicines that can be used for the same or similar purposes as the prevention, improvement, and treatment purposes of the present invention.

The "extract" refers to the extract itself and the extract, such as the extract obtained by the extraction treatment of the dried dried sulfur, a diluted or concentrated liquid of the extract, a dried product obtained by drying the extract, a crude product or purified product of the extract, or a mixture thereof. It includes extracts of all formulations that can be formed using. For example, the extract of the present invention can be prepared and used in the form of a dry powder after extraction.

The method for extracting the dried Rehmannia glutinosa extract is not particularly limited, and can be extracted according to a method commonly used in the art. Non-limiting examples of the extraction method may include hot water extraction, ultrasonic extraction, filtration, and reflux extraction, and these may be performed alone or by combining two or more methods.

The type of extraction solvent used to extract the dried Rehmannia glutinosa extract is not particularly limited, and any solvent known in the art can be used. Non-limiting examples of the extraction solvent include lower C ₁ to C ₄ alcohols such as water, methanol, ethanol, propyl alcohol, and butyl alcohol; Polyhydric alcohols such as glycerin, butylene glycol, and propylene glycol; and hydrocarbon solvents such as methyl acetate, ethyl acetate, acetone, benzene, hexane, diethyl ether, and dichloromethane; Or a mixture thereof can be used. For example, the dried Rehmannia glutinosa extract of the present invention can be obtained by extracting the dried Rehmannia glutinosa roots with water, C ₁ -C ₄ lower alcohol, or a mixed solvent thereof.

In the present invention, “eye disease” refers to retinopathy of prematurity, retinal degeneration, macular degeneration, hypertensive retinopathy, retinitis pigmentosa, Stargart, etc. A group consisting of Stargardt disease, choroideremia, gyrate-atrophy, retinal detachment, dry eye syndrome, glaucoma, and optic neuropathy. It may be selected from .

The eye disease may be caused by blue light, and specifically may be caused by photo-oxidation of A2E and accumulation of drusen by blue light.

In the present invention, macular degeneration (MD) refers to a phenomenon in which central vision is destroyed due to damage to the macula, and macular degeneration diseases include dry macular degeneration, wet macular degeneration, age-related macular degeneration, myopic macular degeneration, and idiopathic macular degeneration. It may include macular degeneration, etc., and specifically may be age related macular degeneration (AMD).

Although the exact etiology of age-related macular degeneration is not yet known, it is generally known that excessive accumulation of pigments in retinal pigment epithelial cells due to aging occurs in the early stages of age-related macular degeneration, and all-trans retinal (all-trans retinal) A2E, produced by the synthesis of -retinal and ethanolamine, is a substance that typically accumulates in retinal epithelial cells. It generates singlet oxygen by blue light, and the double bond between carbons is oxidized, causing damage to the retina. It may cause damage to pigmented epithelial cells.

The dry eye syndrome refers to a multifactorial disease that exhibits various symptoms due to tear film instability, hyperosmolarity, inflammation and damage to the ocular surface, neurological abnormalities, etc. due to tear homeostasis not being maintained. In the present invention, dry eye syndrome includes anuria, dry cornea, Sjögren's syndrome, keratoconjunctivitis sicca, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, eye pseudoblister, dry eye syndrome after ophthalmic surgery, dry eye syndrome with allergic conjunctivitis, and visual display terminal (VDT). ) may be caused by one or more factors selected from the group consisting of reduced tearing by workers and dry environments and wearing contact lenses.

The dried Rehmannia glutinosa extract is used in an amount of 0.005 to 20.0% by weight, or 0.01 to 10.0% by weight, or 0.01 to 5% by weight, or 0.01 to 3% by weight, or 0.1 to 2% by weight, based on the total weight of the pharmaceutical composition for preventing or treating eye diseases. It may be contained in weight%, or in an amount of 0.5 to 1.5 weight%, but is not limited thereto. If the effective content of the dried Rehmannia glutinosa extract is less than 0.005% by weight, the effectiveness of preventing or treating eye diseases is lowered, and if it exceeds 20% by weight, the effect of increasing the effective efficacy due to the increase in content decreases and may be uneconomical.

In the present invention, prevention or treatment of eye diseases can be achieved by inhibiting the oxidation of A2E by blue light or by inhibiting cell death caused by A2E oxidized by blue light.

In a specific embodiment of the present invention, in order to confirm the effect of the dried Rehmannia glutinosa extract on preventing cell damage caused by oxidized A2E, retinal pigment epithelial cells were treated with the dried Rehmannia glutinosa extract along with blue light and the cell survival rate was confirmed, which was found to be reduced by blue light. It was confirmed that the cell survival rate was significantly increased by treatment with dried Rehmannia glutinosa extract.

Therefore, since it is clear that the dried Rehmannia glutinosa extract has the activity of preventing damage to retinal pigment epithelial cells due to A2E oxidation, the dried Rehmannia glutinosa extract can be usefully used as an active ingredient in a composition for preventing or treating eye diseases including macular degeneration. there is.

In addition, the pharmaceutical composition of the present invention may further contain, in addition to the dried Rehmannia glutinosa extract, other ingredients that can have a synergistic effect on the effect of the dried Rehmannia glutinosa extract within a range that does not impair the effect aimed at by the present invention. You can. For example, it may include conventional auxiliaries such as antioxidants, stabilizers, solubilizers, vitamins, pigments and flavors, or pharmaceutically acceptable carriers.

The pharmaceutically acceptable carriers are commonly used in formulations and include lactose, dextrose, sucrose, sorbitol, mannitol, starch, gum acacia, calcium phosphate, alginate, gelatin, calcium silicate, microcrystalline cellulose, Includes, but is not limited to, polyvinylpyrrolidone, cellulose, water, syrup, methyl cellulose, methylhydroxybenzoate, propylhydroxybenzoate, talc, magnesium stearate, and mineral oil. Suitable pharmaceutically acceptable carriers and formulations are described in detail in Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences (19th ed., 1995).

The route of administration of the pharmaceutical composition includes oral, intravenous, intramuscular, intraarterial, transdermal, subcutaneous, intraperitoneal, intranasal, enteral, topical, sublingual or rectal routes, such as topical application. It can be applied as. The parenteral includes subcutaneous, intradermal, intravenous, intramuscular, and intralesional injection or infusion techniques.

The pharmaceutical composition of the present invention can be administered in a pharmaceutically effective amount.

In the present invention, “pharmaceutically effective amount” means an amount sufficient to treat a disease with a reasonable benefit/risk ratio applicable to medical treatment, and the effective dose level is determined by the type and severity of the individual, age, gender, type of disease, It can be determined based on factors including the activity of the drug, sensitivity to the drug, time of administration, route of administration and excretion rate, duration of treatment, drugs used simultaneously, and other factors well known in the medical field. The composition of the present invention may be administered as an individual therapeutic agent or in combination with other therapeutic agents, and may be administered sequentially or simultaneously with conventional therapeutic agents. And it can be administered single or multiple times. Considering all of the above factors, it is important to administer an amount that can achieve the maximum effect with the minimum amount without side effects, and can be easily determined by a person skilled in the art.

The pharmaceutical composition of the present invention is not particularly limited and can be applied to any subject as long as it is intended for the prevention or treatment of eye disease. For example, the pharmaceutical composition of the present invention can be used not only on humans, but also on non-human animals such as monkeys, dogs, cats, rabbits, guinea pigs, rats, mice, cows, sheep, pigs, goats, birds, and fish. .

The pharmaceutical composition may contain one or more active ingredients that exhibit the same or similar functions in addition to the dried Rehmannia glutinosa extract. The composition can be formulated and used in the form of oral dosage forms such as powders, granules, tablets, capsules, suspensions, emulsions, syrups, external preparations, suppositories, and sterile injection solutions according to conventional methods.

Solid preparations for oral administration include powders, granules, tablets, capsules, soft capsules, pills, etc. Liquid preparations for oral administration include suspensions, oral solutions, emulsions, and syrups. In addition to the commonly used simple diluents such as water and liquid paraffin, various excipients such as wetting agents, sweeteners, fragrances, and preservatives may be included. there is.

Preparations for parenteral administration include external preparations such as powders, granules, tablets, capsules, sterilized aqueous solutions, solutions, non-aqueous solvents, suspensions, emulsions, syrups, suppositories, and aerosols, and sterilized injection preparations according to conventional methods. It can be formulated and used in the form of a cream, gel, patch, spray, ointment, warning agent, lotion, liniment agent, pasta agent or cataplasma agent. It can be prepared and used as a pharmaceutical composition for external use on the skin. It is not limited to this. Non-aqueous solvents and suspensions include propylene glycol, polyethylene glycol, vegetable oil such as olive oil, and injectable ester such as ethyl oleate. As a base for suppositories, witepsol, macrogol, tween 61, cacao, laurin, glycerogenatin, etc. can be used.

The pharmaceutical compositions can also be formulated as ophthalmic compositions such as eye drops and eye ointments. This form may include all ophthalmic preparations for topical ocular administration used in the field of ophthalmology. Eye drops are prepared by dissolving the active ingredients in sterile aqueous solutions such as saline and buffer solutions. Eye drops may be provided as a powder composition to be dissolved prior to use, or may be provided by combining them with a powder composition to be dissolved prior to use. Ophthalmic ointments can be prepared by mixing the active ingredients into an ointment base.

The dosage of the pharmaceutical composition may vary depending on various factors, including the subject's age, weight, general health, gender, administration time, administration route, excretion rate, drug combination, and severity of a specific disease.

Additionally, the pharmaceutical composition of the present invention can be used alone or in combination with surgery, radiation therapy, hormone therapy, chemical therapy, and methods using biological response regulators. In addition, the pharmaceutical composition can be administered in a dosage range of 0.001 to 200 mg/kg for adults, and when the pharmaceutical composition is an external preparation, it is applied 1 to 5 times a day in an amount of 1.0 to 3.0 ml for adults. Therefore, it is recommended to continue for more than 1 month, but the above dosage does not limit the scope of the present invention.

When formulating the pharmaceutical composition in unit dosage form, the dried Rehmannia glutinosa extract of the present invention as an active ingredient is preferably contained in a unit dose of about 0.01 to 1,500 mg, and the dosage required for adult treatment depends on the frequency and intensity of administration. Accordingly, the range is usually about 1 to 500 mg per day, but it is not limited to this, and for some patients, a higher daily dose may be desirable.

The pharmaceutical composition can be used alone or in combination with surgery, radiation therapy, hormone therapy, chemotherapy, and methods using biological response regulators.

Another aspect of the present invention provides a health functional food for preventing or improving eye disease containing dried Rehmannia glutinosa extract as an active ingredient.

Another aspect of the present invention provides a health functional food composition for preventing eye damage containing dried Rehmannia glutinosa extract as an active ingredient.

The dried rehmannia glutinosa, extract, and eye disease are as described above.

Since the dried rehmannia glutinosa has been used as a natural substance for a long time and has been proven to be safe for the human body, it can be manufactured and consumed in the form of a food that is common sense and can prevent or improve eye disease or eye damage.

In the present invention, “eye damage” may be caused by blue light, and may specifically mean eye damage caused by photo-oxidation of A2E and accumulation of drusen by blue light. More specifically, eye damage may mean, but is not limited to, eye damage caused by oxidative damage to the eye, eye aging, eye fatigue, decreased eye function, or eye disease.

The “prevention” refers to all actions that suppress or delay eye disease or eye damage by consuming the health functional food.

The “improvement” refers to any action that reduces parameters, such as the severity of symptoms, related to the condition being treated by ingestion of the health functional food.

The dried Rehmannia glutinosa extract is used in an amount of 0.005 to 20.0% by weight, or 0.01 to 10.0% by weight, or 0.01 to 5% by weight, or 0.01 to 3% by weight, or 0.1 to 2% by weight, or 0.5% by weight, based on the total weight of the health functional food composition. It may be contained in an amount of from 1.5% by weight, but is not limited thereto. If the effective content of the dried rehmannia extract is less than 0.005% by weight, the effect of preventing or improving eye disease or eye damage is lowered, and if it exceeds 20% by weight, the effect of increasing the effective efficacy due to the increase in content decreases, making it uneconomical. .

Health functional foods refer to foods manufactured and processed in the form of tablets, capsules, powders, granules, liquids, and pills using raw materials or ingredients with functional properties useful to the human body. Here, functionality means obtaining useful effects for health purposes, such as controlling nutrients or physiological effects on the structure and function of the human body.

The health functional food composition of the present invention, in addition to the dried Rehmannia glutinosa extract of the present invention, preferably contains other ingredients that can have a synergistic effect on the effect of the dried Rehmannia glutinosa extract within a range that does not impair the effect aimed at by the present invention. It may contain. For example, it may include conventional auxiliaries such as stabilizers, solubilizers, vitamins, pigments and flavors, or carriers.

It may also contain ingredients commonly added when manufacturing a health functional food composition, including, for example, proteins, carbohydrates, fats, nutrients, seasonings, and flavoring agents. Examples of such carbohydrates include monosaccharides such as glucose, fructose, etc.; Disaccharides such as maltose, sucrose, oligosaccharides, etc.; and polysaccharides, such as common sugars such as dextrin and cyclodextrin, and sugar alcohols such as xylitol, sorbitol, and erythritol. As the flavoring agent, natural flavoring agent thaumatin, stevia extract, and synthetic flavoring agent may be used. For example, when the health functional food composition of the present invention is manufactured as a drink, citric acid, high fructose corn syrup, sugar, glucose, acetic acid, malic acid, fruit juice, natural extract, etc. may be additionally included in addition to the dried rehmannia glutinosa extract of the present invention.

Health functional foods to which the dried Rehmannia glutinosa extract of the present invention can be added are not particularly limited, but for example, dairy products including meat, sausages, bread, chocolate, candy, snacks, confectionery, pizza, ramen, other noodles, gum, and ice cream. It includes products, various soups, beverages, tea, drinks, alcoholic beverages, and vitamin complexes, and includes all foods in the conventional sense.

The health functional food composition can be manufactured and processed in the form of tablets, capsules, powders, granules, liquids, pills, etc. for the purpose of preventing or improving eye diseases or eye damage.

For example, health functional food in the form of tablets is made by granulating a mixture of the health functional food composition with excipients, binders, disintegrants, and other additives in a conventional manner, adding a lubricant, etc., and compression molding, or The mixture can be directly compression molded. In addition, the health functional food in the form of tablets may contain flavoring agents, etc., if necessary.

Among capsule-type health functional foods, hard capsules can be manufactured by filling a regular hard capsule with a mixture of the health functional food composition mixed with additives such as excipients, and soft capsules can be manufactured by mixing the health functional food composition with additives such as excipients. It can be manufactured by filling the mixture with a capsule base such as gelatin. The soft capsule may contain plasticizers such as glycerin or sorbitol, colorants, preservatives, etc., if necessary.

The health functional food in the form of a pill can be prepared by molding a mixture of the health functional food composition and excipients, binders, disintegrants, etc. using a known method. If necessary, it can be coated with white sugar or other coating agents. , or the surface can be coated with substances such as starch or talc.

Health functional food in the form of granules can be manufactured into granules by mixing the above-mentioned health functional food composition with excipients, binders, disintegrants, etc., using a known method. If necessary, it may contain flavoring agents, flavoring agents, etc. You can.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail through preparation examples and examples.

However, the following preparation examples, experimental examples, and examples are only for illustrating the present invention, and the content of the present invention is not limited by the following preparation examples and examples.

Example

Preparation Example 1 - Preparation of dried Rehmannia glutinosa extract

10 times the weight of distilled water was added to 1 kg of dried rehmannia glutinosa, extracted 1-3 times at 60°C for 4 hours, and the extract mixed with the extracts obtained from each extraction was filtered using a 5㎛ filter. The filtrate was concentrated under reduced pressure at 55°C using a rotary vacuum concentrator (BUCHI, R-220). The concentrate was diluted to 20 brix by adding sterilized distilled water and then freeze-dried to obtain 620 g of powdered dried Rehmannia glutinosa extract.

Preparation Examples 2 to 5

Preparation Example 1, except that 30% (v/v) ethanol aqueous solution, 50% (v/v) ethanol aqueous solution, 70% (v/v) ethanol aqueous solution, and 100% ethanol were used as extraction solvents instead of distilled water, respectively. Dried Rehmannia glutinosa extract was prepared by the same method.

Experimental Example 1 - Protective effect of dried Rehmannia glutinosa extract on retinal pigment epithelial cells against blue light-induced photo-oxidation

A2E accumulated in retinal pigment epithelial cells is a causative agent of macular degeneration and is known to deposit in retinal pigment epithelial cells and cause cytotoxicity due to photo-oxidation when irradiated with blue light. It was confirmed whether dried Rehmannia glutinosa extract can inhibit cytotoxicity and cell death induced by blue light.

Specifically, ARPE-19 cells were treated with 50 μg/ml of the dried Rehmannia glutinosa extract obtained in Preparation Examples 1 to 5 for 24 hours each, then treated with 20 μM A2E for 24 hours, and irradiated with blue light for 10 minutes. Afterwards, the cell survival rate of ARPE-19 cells was measured using a cell counting kit (Dojindo Labs, Japan), and the cell survival rate of each treatment group was calculated as a percentage (%) relative to the control group that accumulated A2E and did not irradiate blue light. ) (Figure 1).

As a result, the cell survival rate of the negative control group that accumulated A2E and was irradiated with blue light was significantly reduced compared to the control group, leading to cell death. On the other hand, the cell survival rate was confirmed to be increased in the group treated with dried Rehmannia glutinosa extract compared to the negative control group treated only with A2E. From this, it can be seen that dried Rehmannia glutinosa extract prevents or treats macular degeneration by inhibiting cell death caused by A2E accumulated and oxidized in retinal pigment epithelial cells.

In particular, the dried Rehmannia glutinosa extract of Preparation Example 1 using distilled water as an extraction solvent showed a significantly high cell survival rate. These results showed a higher cell survival rate than catapol or aucubin, which are representative active ingredients of dried rehmannia glutinosa (Figure 1). Therefore, it can be expected that when distilled water is used as an extraction solvent, the effect of preventing or treating macular degeneration will be greater by suppressing cell death caused by A2E accumulated and oxidized in retinal pigment epithelial cells.

Claims (7)

A pharmaceutical composition for preventing or treating eye diseases containing dried Rehmannia glutinosa extract as an active ingredient. In claim 1,
A composition in which the dried Rehmannia glutinosa extract is extracted by adding water as an extraction solvent. In claim 1,
The eye diseases include retinopathy of prematurity, retinal degeneration, macular degeneration, hypertensive retinopathy, retinitis pigmentosa, and Stargardt disease. ), one selected from the group consisting of choroideremia, chorioretinal atrophy, retinal detachment, dry eye syndrome, glaucoma, and optic neuropathy. The above composition. In claim 1,
A composition wherein the eye disease is macular degeneration caused by irradiation of blue light. In claim 1,
The composition i) inhibits the oxidation of N-retinylidene-Nretinyl-ethanolamine (A2E) by blue light, or ii) inhibits cell death caused by oxidized A2E. A composition that does. A health functional food composition for preventing or improving eye diseases containing dried Rehmannia glutinosa extract as an active ingredient. A health functional food composition for preventing eye damage containing dried Rehmannia glutinosa extract as an active ingredient.