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Nano-Melatonin and Parkinson’s Disease Therapy
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Researchers have demonstrated that a nano-formulated version of melatonin, a hormone naturally produced by the brain in response to darkness, exhibits enhanced antioxidative and neuroprotective properties.
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- This advancement positions melatonin as a promising therapeutic solution for Parkinson’s disease (PD), a debilitating neurological disorder.
The Challenge of Parkinson’s Disease
- Parkinson’s disease, one of the most common neurodegenerative disorders, arises from the loss of dopamine-producing neurons in the brain, primarily due to the aggregation of the synuclein protein.
- Current treatments focus on alleviating symptoms but fail to address the underlying cause, underscoring the urgent need for novel therapeutic strategies.
- Over the past decade, research has revealed the critical role of PD-related genes in controlling mitophagy, a quality-control mechanism that eliminates dysfunctional mitochondria and reduces oxidative stress.
- Mitophagy impairment is a significant contributor to PD pathology.
A Potential Game-Changer
- Melatonin, a neurohormone secreted by the pineal gland, is well-known for regulating the sleep-wake cycle and treating insomnia.
- Studies suggest that melatonin may also induce mitophagy, thereby reducing oxidative stress and mitigating PD symptoms.
- However, its therapeutic potential has been limited by challenges such as low bioavailability, susceptibility to premature oxidation, and inefficient delivery to the brain.
- To overcome these limitations, a team from the Institute of Nano Science and Technology (INST) in Mohali, India, developed a novel nano-formulation of melatonin.
- Their findings, published in the journal ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces, reveal significant improvements in the drug’s delivery and efficacy.
Nano-Formulation: A Breakthrough
- The researchers employed a biocompatible nanocarrier made of human serum albumin (HSA) to encapsulate melatonin.
- This nano-formulation ensures a sustained release of the hormone and significantly enhances its bioavailability.
- In preclinical studies using an in vitro PD model, the nano-melatonin demonstrated superior antioxidative and neuroprotective properties.
- The formulation improved mitophagy, helping to remove damaged mitochondria, and promoted mitochondrial biogenesis, effectively counteracting toxicity induced by the pesticide rotenone.
- Key to these benefits was the activation of BMI1, a crucial epigenetic regulator that influences gene expression.
- The upregulation of BMI1 facilitated mitophagy, reducing oxidative stress and protecting neurons from degeneration.
Promising Results in Animal Models
- The treatment protected dopamine-producing neurons (TH-positive neurons) in rats exposed to rotenone-induced toxicity.
- Notably, the nano-formulation’s ability to localise and sustain melatonin delivery to the brain resulted in significantly enhanced therapeutic effects compared to unformulated melatonin.
A New Therapeutic Path
- The study sheds light on the molecular mechanisms underlying melatonin’s neuroprotective effects, particularly its role in regulating mitophagy through BMI1.
- This discovery not only highlights the potential of melatonin as a treatment for PD but also opens the door to its use in other diseases characterised by dysfunctional mitophagy.
The findings underscore the potential of nano-formulated melatonin as a safer and more effective treatment option for Parkinson’s disease and other neurodegenerative conditions. With further exploration, this innovation could significantly improve the quality of life for patients worldwide.
