Pharmacokinetics of a natural hybrid-hydrogel formulation of palmitoylethanolamide (PEA): randomized, single-dose, double-blinded, 2-way crossover study

Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) is an endogenous lipid having the ability to suppress inflammatory responses, restore homeostasis, and modulate pain sensitivity. However, its concentration in the body is often limited, especially on aging, owing to low production and rapid metabolism. PEA supplementatio...

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Main Authors: Maria Jose Louis, Ashil Joseph, Umesh Kannamangalam Vijayan, Abhilash Balakrishnan, Krishnakumar Illathu Madhavamenon
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Taylor & Francis Group 2025-12-01
Series:CyTA - Journal of Food
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Online Access:https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/19476337.2025.2516484
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author Maria Jose Louis
Ashil Joseph
Umesh Kannamangalam Vijayan
Abhilash Balakrishnan
Krishnakumar Illathu Madhavamenon
author_facet Maria Jose Louis
Ashil Joseph
Umesh Kannamangalam Vijayan
Abhilash Balakrishnan
Krishnakumar Illathu Madhavamenon
author_sort Maria Jose Louis
collection DOAJ
description Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) is an endogenous lipid having the ability to suppress inflammatory responses, restore homeostasis, and modulate pain sensitivity. However, its concentration in the body is often limited, especially on aging, owing to low production and rapid metabolism. PEA supplementation suffers from poor oral bioavailability and half-life. This study was aimed to characterize a natural self-emulsifying hybrid-hydrogel formulation of PEA (P-fen), developed using fenugreek galactomannan seed mucilage (FenuMat®), and further investigate its pharmacokinetics in healthy human volunteers, in comparison with micronized PEA (m-PEA). P-fen was an amorphous powder with a high swelling index and improved solubility (56-fold). It was observed as microspheres of 250 μm size with a porous and smooth surface upon scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis. Dynamic light scattering (DLS) analysis indicated ~523 nm particles, with a zeta potential of −60 mV indicating its aqueous stability. In vitro gastrointestinal studies revealed sustained release with better bioaccessibility (>80%). Pharmacokinetics following a single dose of P-fen revealed 5-fold enhancement in bioavailability.
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institution Kabale University
issn 1947-6337
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publishDate 2025-12-01
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spelling doaj-art-e5a040c826bd4388a322ce88caf4b7d32025-08-20T03:25:35ZengTaylor & Francis GroupCyTA - Journal of Food1947-63371947-63452025-12-0123110.1080/19476337.2025.2516484Pharmacokinetics of a natural hybrid-hydrogel formulation of palmitoylethanolamide (PEA): randomized, single-dose, double-blinded, 2-way crossover studyMaria Jose Louis0Ashil Joseph1Umesh Kannamangalam Vijayan2Abhilash Balakrishnan3Krishnakumar Illathu Madhavamenon4R&D Centre, Akay Natural Ingredients, Kochi, IndiaR&D Centre, Akay Natural Ingredients, Kochi, IndiaR&D Centre, Akay Natural Ingredients, Kochi, IndiaR&D Centre, Akay Natural Ingredients, Kochi, IndiaR&D Centre, Akay Natural Ingredients, Kochi, IndiaPalmitoylethanolamide (PEA) is an endogenous lipid having the ability to suppress inflammatory responses, restore homeostasis, and modulate pain sensitivity. However, its concentration in the body is often limited, especially on aging, owing to low production and rapid metabolism. PEA supplementation suffers from poor oral bioavailability and half-life. This study was aimed to characterize a natural self-emulsifying hybrid-hydrogel formulation of PEA (P-fen), developed using fenugreek galactomannan seed mucilage (FenuMat®), and further investigate its pharmacokinetics in healthy human volunteers, in comparison with micronized PEA (m-PEA). P-fen was an amorphous powder with a high swelling index and improved solubility (56-fold). It was observed as microspheres of 250 μm size with a porous and smooth surface upon scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis. Dynamic light scattering (DLS) analysis indicated ~523 nm particles, with a zeta potential of −60 mV indicating its aqueous stability. In vitro gastrointestinal studies revealed sustained release with better bioaccessibility (>80%). Pharmacokinetics following a single dose of P-fen revealed 5-fold enhancement in bioavailability.https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/19476337.2025.2516484PalmitoylethanolamideFenuMathybrid-hydrogelbioavailabilitypharmacokinetics
spellingShingle Maria Jose Louis
Ashil Joseph
Umesh Kannamangalam Vijayan
Abhilash Balakrishnan
Krishnakumar Illathu Madhavamenon
Pharmacokinetics of a natural hybrid-hydrogel formulation of palmitoylethanolamide (PEA): randomized, single-dose, double-blinded, 2-way crossover study
CyTA - Journal of Food
Palmitoylethanolamide
FenuMat
hybrid-hydrogel
bioavailability
pharmacokinetics
title Pharmacokinetics of a natural hybrid-hydrogel formulation of palmitoylethanolamide (PEA): randomized, single-dose, double-blinded, 2-way crossover study
title_full Pharmacokinetics of a natural hybrid-hydrogel formulation of palmitoylethanolamide (PEA): randomized, single-dose, double-blinded, 2-way crossover study
title_fullStr Pharmacokinetics of a natural hybrid-hydrogel formulation of palmitoylethanolamide (PEA): randomized, single-dose, double-blinded, 2-way crossover study
title_full_unstemmed Pharmacokinetics of a natural hybrid-hydrogel formulation of palmitoylethanolamide (PEA): randomized, single-dose, double-blinded, 2-way crossover study
title_short Pharmacokinetics of a natural hybrid-hydrogel formulation of palmitoylethanolamide (PEA): randomized, single-dose, double-blinded, 2-way crossover study
title_sort pharmacokinetics of a natural hybrid hydrogel formulation of palmitoylethanolamide pea randomized single dose double blinded 2 way crossover study
topic Palmitoylethanolamide
FenuMat
hybrid-hydrogel
bioavailability
pharmacokinetics
url https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/19476337.2025.2516484
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