Nano-Formulation of Melatonin: A Potential Therapy for Parkinson’s Disease
Scientists demonstrate that nano-formulated melatonin, a hormone triggered by darkness, enhances antioxidative and neuroprotective properties. This formulation could become a viable treatment for Parkinson’s disease (PD).
Parkinson’s Disease
Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a common neurological disorder caused by the death of dopamine-producing neurons in the brain. This neuron death results from synuclein protein aggregation within the brain. Current medications only alleviate symptoms, highlighting the urgent need for effective therapies.
Recent studies show that PD-related genes play a role in a quality control process called “mitophagy.” This process identifies and removes dysfunctional mitochondria, lowering oxidative stress. Melatonin, a neurohormone from the pineal gland, regulates sleep-wake cycles and may also induce mitophagy to help mitigate PD.
Despite being a safe and promising neurotherapeutic drug, the molecular pathways melatonin uses as a PD antagonist remain unclear. The drug faces challenges like low bioavailability and premature oxidation.
Researchers from the Institute of Nano Science and Technology (INST) Mohali developed a human serum albumin (HSA) nano-formulation for brain delivery of melatonin. Dr. Surajit Karmakar led the team, proving that nano-melatonin improves bioavailability and ensures sustained release of melatonin.
Research Findings
The research found that nano-melatonin enhances antioxidative and neuroprotective properties. Consequently, it improves mitophagy to eliminate unhealthy mitochondria and boosts mitochondrial biogenesis. Hence, it can counter toxicity induced by pesticides (such as rotenone) in an in vitro PD model.
Improved outcomes stem from sustained release and targeted delivery of melatonin, resulting in greater therapeutic efficacy than standard melatonin. The increased antioxidative effect arises from mitophagy induction through upregulation of BMI1, a key epigenetic regulator that controls gene expression. This reduction in oxidative stress may help alleviate symptoms of Parkinson’s disease.
Their findings, published in ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces, highlight the superior neuroprotective effects of nano-melatonin. All in all, the results show that the nano-formulation protects TH-positive neurons in rat brains from rotenone-induced toxicity. Remarkably, they discovered that BMI1 overexpression occurs after treatment with nano-formulation, inducing mitophagy and potentially protecting neurons from degeneration.
This study reveals the molecular mechanisms behind melatonin’s role in regulating mitophagy. Above all, enhanced mitophagy minimizes oxidative stress in the Parkinson’s disease model.
Melatonin’s influence on BMI1 regulation and subsequent induction of mitophagy offers a pathway toward establishing it as a therapeutic candidate for Parkinson’s disease. Moreover, it has the potential to treat other diseases linked to dysregulated mitophagy. Continued research could pave the way for melatonin as a safer drug, improving patient outcomes.
The graphical abstract describing the work
Reference
Press Information Bureau: Possible Therapeutic Cure for Parkinson’s
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