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Cited by 320Circadian rhythm and melatoninAntioxidant Activity and Oxidative StressPhytochemicals and Antioxidant Activities

Melatonin: Action as antioxidant and potential applications in human disease and aging

Bonnefont-Rousselot, Dominique, Collin, Fabrice·2010·Toxicology
DOI 10.1016/j.tox.2010.04.008
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Abstract

This review aims at describing the beneficial properties of melatonin related to its antioxidant effects. Oxidative stress, i.e., an imbalance between the production of reactive oxygen species and antioxidant defences, is involved in several pathological conditions such as cardiovascular or neurological disease, and in aging. Therefore, research for antioxidants has developed. However, classical antioxidants often failed to exhibit beneficial effects, especially in metabolic diseases. Melatonin has been shown as a specific antioxidant due to its amphiphilic feature that allows it to cross physiological barriers, thereby reducing oxidative damage in both lipid and aqueous cell environments. Studies on the antioxidant action of melatonin are reported, with a special mention to water gamma radiolysis as a method to produce oxygen-derived free radicals, and on structure-activity relationships of melatonin derivatives. Mass spectrometry-based techniques have been developed to identify melatonin oxidation products. Besides its ability to scavenge several radical species, melatonin regulates the activity of antioxidant enzymes (indirect antioxidant properties). Efficient detection methods confirmed the presence of melatonin in several plant products. Therapeutic potential of melatonin relies either on increasing melatonin dietary intake or on supplementation with supraphysiological dosages. Clinical trials showed that melatonin could be efficient in preventing cell damage, as well under acute (sepsis, asphyxia in newborns) as under chronic (metabolic and neurodegenerative diseases, cancer, inflammation, aging). Its global action on oxidative stress, together with its rhythmicity that plays a role in several metabolic functions, lead melatonin to be of great interest for future clinical research in order to improve public health.

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  • Melatonin is a hormone secreted by the pineal gland that has sedative effects.

    “Melatonin is a hormone secreted by the pineal gland, that has displayed sedative effects [48,49].”

    From Sleep and Nutrition Interactions: Implications for Athletes (2019) · cites this paper as [49]

  • Ingestion of melatonin affects sleep propensity and has hypnotic effects enhancing sleep quality and duration; pharmacological melatonin can be used to manipulate circadian timing.

    “Ingestion of melatonin affects sleep propensity and has hypnotic effects enhancing sleep quality and duration, pharmacological melatonin can be used to manipulate circadian timing [49].”

    From Sleep and Nutrition Interactions: Implications for Athletes (2019) · cites this paper as [49]

  • There appears to be no added benefit to melatonin doses >3 mg.

    “however, it must be noted that there appears to be no added benefit to doses >3 mg [49].”

    From Sleep and Nutrition Interactions: Implications for Athletes (2019) · cites this paper as [49]

  • Melatonin has extremely low toxicity even at relatively high doses and can easily cross physiological barriers due to its optimal size, partial water solubility and high lipid solubility.

    “Melatonin has extremely low toxicity even at relatively high doses and can easily cross physiological barriers due to its optimal size, partial water solubility and high lipid solubility however, it must be noted that there appears to be no added benefit to doses >3 mg [49].”

    From Sleep and Nutrition Interactions: Implications for Athletes (2019) · cites this paper as [49]

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Authors
Bonnefont-Rousselot, D., & Collin, F.
Affiliations
Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (FR)
ORCID
Collin, Fabrice
Venue
Toxicology
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2010-11
Volume
278
Issue
1
Pages
55-67
ISSN
0300-483X (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1016/j.tox.2010.04.008
OpenAlex
W1988010651
Cited by
320
References
176
Citations by year
2026: 8 · 2025: 12 · 2024: 21 · 2023: 11 · 2022: 14 · 2021: 27 · 2020: 28 · 2019: 29 · 2018: 24 · 2017: 19 · 2016: 26 · 2015: 29 · 2014: 19 · 2013: 14 · 2012: 18
FWCI
7.64
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Licence
Locations
  • Toxicology (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Endocrine and Autonomic Systems › Circadian rhythm and melatonin
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Biochemistry › Antioxidant Activity and Oxidative Stress
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Biochemistry › Phytochemicals and Antioxidant Activities
Keywords
melatonin, antioxidant activity, oxidative stress, reactive oxygen species, oxygen free radicals, melatonin derivatives, structure-activity relationship, antioxidant enzymes, melatonin supplementation, neurodegenerative diseases, metabolic disorders, cancer, inflammation, aging, sepsis, circadian rhythm
MeSH terms
Aging, Antioxidants, Clinical Trials as Topic, Humans, Melatonin, Oxidation-Reduction, Structure-Activity Relationship, Free Radical Scavengers, Reactive Oxygen Species, Oxidative Stress

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