The Effect of Resveratrol, Quercetin, and Curcumin on Drusen Volume in Age-Related Macular Degeneration: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Purpose: To evaluate the effect of resveratrol, quercetin, and curcumin (RQC) compared with curcumin alone on drusen volume and clinical outcomes in patients with age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Methods: In this open-label, randomized phase 2a clinical trial, patients with early and intermediate AMD were randomized 2:1 to oral RQC or curcumin for 24 months. The primary outcome was the mean change in central drusen volume from baseline measured using spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT). Secondary outcomes included analyses of drusen volume and number by baseline size, categorical analyses of individual drusen response, change in best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), frequency of vision loss, progression to advanced AMD, and safety. Results: Thirty-eight patients were included in the final analysis. After 24 months, central drusen volume decreased significantly with RQC compared with curcumin (−13.4% vs. +6.9%; P = 0.02). Mean BCVA increased by 0.8 letters in the RQC group and decreased by 2.1 letters in the curcumin group (P = 0.08). The frequencies of both mild and moderate vision loss were lower in the RQC group. Progression to advanced AMD occurred in 3.7% of participants and 2.3% of eligible eyes in the RQC group. Conclusions: RQC treatment was associated with reductions in drusen volume, low rates of progression to advanced AMD, and maintenance of BCVA over 24 months. Translational Relevance: This study provides preliminary clinical evidence that this oral therapy may reduce drusen burden and warrants further evaluation as a potential treatment for early to intermediate AMD.