Scientists at the Institute of Nano Science and Technology (INST) have established that nano-formulation of a hormone produced by the brain in response to darkness improved its curative properties and can be a potential therapeutic solution for Parkinson's disease.
The hormone, called Melatonin, showed improved anti-oxidative and neuroprotective properties, that is preventing cell damage and preserving neuro structures and functions, when subjected to nano-formulation. Melatonin is a neurohormone secreted from the pineal gland present in the brain that regulates the sleep-wake cycle and is used to treat insomnia.
Nano-formulation is the production of a drug or combination of drugs that use nanotechnology to enhance its therapeutic efficacy. They are designed to improve the delivery and performance of existing drugs by reducing toxicity, improving solubility, and increasing bioavailability, according to medical literature.
Parkinson's disease (PD) is one of the most common neurological disorders caused by the death of dopamine-secreting neurons in the brain due to aggregation of a particular type of protein. It results in a condition where a part of the brain deteriorates, affecting muscle control, balance and movement, and can also impact senses, thinking ability, mental health and other related disorders.
Available medications can only minimise the symptoms but cannot cure the disease and this underlines the need to develop better therapeutic solutions for the disease, according to a statement issued by the Ministry of Science and Technology.
Using a biocompatible protein nano-carrier for the delivery of Melatonin to the brain, a group of researchers at INST found that the nano-Melatonin resulted in a sustained release of the hormone and improved its bio-availability.
Their studies showed that the nano-Melatonin not only improved the process to remove unhealthy cell particles and membrane, but also improved the bio-process to counteract toxicity. This has been attributed to the sustained release of Melatonin and targeted delivery to the brain, resulting in increased therapeutic efficacy as compared to bare Melatonin.
The findings, published in Applied Materials and Interfaces, a peer reviewed journal brought out by the American Chemical Society, highlight that enhanced techniques to remove damaged cell particles was crucial to reducing oxidative stress in PD. This can also be used to treat other diseases involving cellular degeneration.
