Nano-formulated melatonin: Possibly, the Parkinson disease therapy breakthrough

Scientists have recently discovered that melatonin, a hormone that regulates the sleep/wake cycle, shows enhanced antioxidative and neuroprotective properties when formulated at the nanoscale. This breakthrough formulation could be therapeutically applied to treat Parkinson’s disease (PD), offering hope for better management of this progressive neurological disorder.

Scientists have recently established that melatonin, a hormone regulating the sleep/functions cycle, has better antioxidative and neuroprotective features when formulated at the nanoscale, it can be used therapeutically to treat Parkinson’s disease (PD).

Overview of Parkinson’s Disease and Contribution to Melatonin

Parkinson's a chronic progressive disease whose main pathophysiology is the degeneration of the Dopaminergic neurons because of the buildup of the synuclein protein in the brain. On the preventive aspect, there are no PD medications other than which aim at curing the disease, but only offer symptomatic management, a reason why new therapeutic strategies are required in PD.

There is melatonin, a hormone produced in the pineal gland and a potent mediator dependent on the circadian cycle as well as with antioxidative effects. Based on prior research, melatonin may promote mitophagy, an intuitive cellular recycling that helps eliminate damaged mitochondria, decrease oxidation stress and preserve neurons.

However, the current melatonin therapy is constrained by problems like low bioavailability, sensitivity to oxidation, and problems associated with delivering the drug to the brain.

Achievements Made by Indian Scientist

To overcome these challenges, the researchers at Institute of Nano Science and Technology (INST), Mohali have synthesized a nano-formulation of melatonin using human serum albumin as a nanocarrier. This new delivery system ensures that melatonin bioavailability increases while at the same time guaranteeing its delivery to the brains for optimum therapeutic value.

Key findings include

• Improved Mitophagy and Mitochondrial Biogenesis: The nano- melatonin formulation improved the efficiency of mitophagy process and promoted the synthesis of functional mitochondria when the models received pesticide intoxication.

• Enhanced Neuroprotection: The formulated compound exhibited higher efficacy in scavenging of reactive species and saved dopaminergic neurons against death in ex vivo as well as in vivo models of PD.

• Epigenetic Regulation: Nano-formulation also caused the over expression of BMI1 as described to have a role in mitophagy. This work was the first to demonstrate that BMI1 protects neurons from oxidative stress and degeneration in Parkinson’s models.

Key Outcomes and Implications

The study, published in ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces, highlighted the potential of nano-melatonin to revolutionize Parkinson's therapy:

• Sustained Drug Release: Nano-formulation was effective in sustaining the release of and carry melatonin to the brain area where it originates from.

• Improved Cellular Dynamics: Increased mitophagy and antioxidant cellular signaling downregulated oxidative stress and promoted neuron viability.

• Broader Applications: The discoveries offer the opportunity to address other dysregulated diseases with mitophagy, as well as Alzheimer’s and Huntington’s.

Conclusion and future prospects

In addition to identifying the molecular targets and pathways by which melatonin improves Parkinson’s disease, this study also confirms melatonin as a safer and more efficacious therapeutic. The researchers confidently believe that further investigation of nano-formulated melatonin could help millions of patients with neurodegenerative disorders to improve the quality of their lives. Advanced systems of drug delivery are being used in this invention making it a clear testimony to the fact that India is leading in coming up with solutions to various health issues using Science and technology.