Title:A Revision of Polymeric Nanoparticles as a Strategy to Improve the
Biological Activity of Melatonin
Volume: 30
Issue: 29
Author(s): Pablo Igor Ribeiro Franco*, José Rodrigues do Carmo Neto, Viviane Lopes Rocha, Juliana Reis Machado, Andre Correa Amaral and Marina Pacheco Miguel*
Affiliation:
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Medicina Tropical e Saúde Pública, Instituto de Patologia Tropical e
Saúde Pública, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia, GO, Brasil
- Escola de Veterinária e Zootecnia, Programa
de Pós-Graduação em Ciência Animal, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia, GO, Brasil
- Setor de Patologia
Geral, Instituto de Patologia Tropical e Saúde Pública, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia,
GO, Brasil
Keywords:
Polymeric nanoparticles, melatonin, polymers, antioxidants, anti-inflammatory agents, drug dellivery.
Abstract: Drug delivery systems based on nanotechnology exhibit a number of advantages
over traditional pharmacological formulations. Polymeric nanoparticles are commonly
used as delivery systems and consist of synthetic or natural polymers that protect
drugs from degradation in physiological environments. In this context, indolamine melatonin
has been associated with several biological functions, including antioxidant, antitumor,
immunoregulatory, neuroprotective, and cardioprotective effects. However, its availability,
half-life, and absorption depend upon the route of administration, and this can limit
its therapeutic potential. An alternative is the use of polymeric nanoparticle formulations
associated with melatonin to increase its bioavailability and therapeutic dose at sites
of interest. Thus, the objective of this review is to provide a general and concise approach
to the therapeutic association between melatonin and polymeric nanoparticles applied
to different biological disorders and to also highlight its advantages and potential
applications compared to those of the typical drug formulations that are available.