Composition containing norbixin for protecting cells of the retinal pigment epithelium

1. A method of photoprotecting cells of a retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) in mammals comprising administering to a mammal a composition comprising norbixin obtained by purification from an extract of Bixa orellana seeds, per day, in an amount of between 0.48 mg/kg of body weight and 48 mg/kg of body weight.

2. The method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the composition comprises more than 95% by weight of norbixin.

3. The method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the composition comprises more than 90% by weight of norbixin in its 9′-cis form of formula (I):

4. The method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the composition comprises at least one element chosen from zinc, vitamin C and vitamin E.

5. The method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the composition is in the form of a food supplement or of a medicament.

6. The method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the composition comprises a support acceptable for being ingested, injected in the eye, injected systemically or injected into the blood.

7. The method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the composition is administered to prevent damage to a retina caused by exposure to a blue radiation corresponding to a blue band of a visible light spectrum, having a wavelength of between 435 nm and 490 nm.

8. The method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the composition is administered to treat age-related macular degeneration (ARMD) in mammals.

9. The method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the composition is administered to treat at least one of Stargardt disease and retinitis pigmentosa in mammals.

10. The method as claimed in claim 2 , comprising more than 90% by weight of norbixin in its 9′-cis form of formula (I):

11. The method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the administered amount of the composition to the mammal, per day, is between 0.6 mg/kg of body weight and 20 mg/kg of body weight.