A study from the University of Naples has found that the combination of melatonin and palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) can be used to manage allergic events.
Researchers from the Department of Pharmacy have found that the nutraceutical duo can reduce the level of COX-2 mRNA transcription levels in a human mast cell line; this cell type is intimately involved in the allergic response.
The activity of COX-2 in the body is directly linked to the inflammatory response associated with allergies, so reducing its transcription will subsequently reduce the presence of this enzyme.
They also found that melatonin and PEA can reduce the levels of histamine and β-hexosaminidase, while also decreasing TNF-α, IL-6 mRNA transcription and its subsequent protein production.
All of these findings suggest that the combination of PEA and melatonin could benefit those suffering from allergies, and could offer as a natural way to manage allergies in tandem with current treatment options.
Bioavailability could be a limiting factor
Although the results were positive, the study identified some bioavailability issues with both the ingredients.
Melatonin was found to be “moderately resistant to the gastrointestinal digestion process”, with an estimated bioavailability of 36% — whereas PEA was valued at only 1.59%.
This highlights the need for nutraceutical formulators to find a way to enhance the bioavailability of both PEA and melatonin to allow their supplements to have the greatest effect.
Maria Maisto, the lead author of this study and a post-doctoral researcher in the Department of Pharmacy at the University of Naples, commented: “Allergic diseases represent a prevalent global health issue with an increasing incidence, particularly in Western countries. In this context, we found that a nutraceutical formulation consisting of PEA and melatonin could exhibit anti-allergic activity — acting in both the early and late phases of immune events.”
“This formulation could be considered as a potential alternative remedy for the treatment of allergic or immune-inflammatory diseases at different body districts, including at the intestinal level.”
“However, further studies will be required to establish their true bioavailability, as well as to clarify the specific molecular pathways involved in the results we found.”