Cited by 883Circadian rhythm and melatoninmelanin and skin pigmentationImpact of Light on Environment and Health

Melatonin: Nature’s most versatile biological signal?

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Pandi‐Perumal, S. R., Srinivasan, V., Maestroni, G. J. M., Cardinali, D. P., Poeggeler, B., Hardeland, R.·2006·The FEBS Journal

Abstract

Melatonin is a ubiquitous molecule and widely distributed in nature, with functional activity occurring in unicellular organisms, plants, fungi and animals. In most vertebrates, including humans, melatonin is synthesized primarily in the pineal gland and is regulated by the environmental light/dark cycle via the suprachiasmatic nucleus. Pinealocytes function as 'neuroendocrine transducers' to secrete melatonin during the dark phase of the light/dark cycle and, consequently, melatonin is often called the 'hormone of darkness'. Melatonin is principally secreted at night and is centrally involved in sleep regulation, as well as in a number of other cyclical bodily activities. Melatonin is exclusively involved in signaling the 'time of day' and 'time of year' (hence considered to help both clock and calendar functions) to all tissues and is thus considered to be the body's chronological pacemaker or 'Zeitgeber'. Synthesis of melatonin also occurs in other areas of the body, including the retina, the gastrointestinal tract, skin, bone marrow and in lymphocytes, from which it may influence other physiological functions through paracrine signaling. Melatonin has also been extracted from the seeds and leaves of a number of plants and its concentration in some of this material is several orders of magnitude higher than its night-time plasma value in humans. Melatonin participates in diverse physiological functions. In addition to its timekeeping functions, melatonin is an effective antioxidant which scavenges free radicals and up-regulates several antioxidant enzymes. It also has a strong antiapoptotic signaling function, an effect which it exerts even during ischemia. Melatonin's cytoprotective properties have practical implications in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. Melatonin also has immune-enhancing and oncostatic properties. Its 'chronobiotic' properties have been shown to have value in treating various circadian rhythm sleep disorders, such as jet lag or shift-work sleep disorder. Melatonin acting as an 'internal sleep facilitator' promotes sleep, and melatonin's sleep-facilitating properties have been found to be useful for treating insomnia symptoms in elderly and depressive patients. A recently introduced melatonin analog, agomelatine, is also efficient for the treatment of major depressive disorder and bipolar affective disorder. Melatonin's role as a 'photoperiodic molecule' in seasonal reproduction has been established in photoperiodic species, although its regulatory influence in humans remains under investigation. Taken together, this evidence implicates melatonin in a broad range of effects with a significant regulatory influence over many of the body's physiological functions.

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Crossref · 10.1111/j.1742-4658.2006.05322.x

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  1. Hardeland R, Poeggeler B, Behrmann G & Fuhrberg B (1996) Enzymatic and non-enzymatic metabolism of methoxyindoles. In Metabolism and Cellular Dynamics of Indoles (Hardeland R, ed.), pp. 6-22. University of Goettingen, Goettingen.

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Authors
Pandi‐Perumal, S. R., Srinivasan, V., Maestroni, G. J. M., Cardinali, D. P., Poeggeler, B., & Hardeland, R.
Affiliations
  • Universiti Sains Malaysia (MY)
  • Istituto Cantonale di Patologia (CH)
  • Universidad de Buenos Aires (AR)
  • University of Göttingen (DE)
Venue
The FEBS Journal
Publisher
Wiley
Published
2006-06-15
Volume
273
Issue
13
Pages
2813-2838
ISSN
  • 1742-464X (ISSN-L)
  • 1742-4658
OpenAlex
W2049985521
Cited by
875
References
293
Citations by year
2026: 15 · 2025: 29 · 2024: 33 · 2023: 33 · 2022: 42 · 2021: 56 · 2020: 47 · 2019: 49 · 2018: 42 · 2017: 45 · 2016: 34 · 2015: 38 · 2014: 53 · 2013: 53 · 2012: 51
FWCI
5.54
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • FEBS Journal (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • GRO (submittedVersion)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Endocrine and Autonomic Systems › Circadian rhythm and melatonin
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Cell Biology › melanin and skin pigmentation
  • Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Global and Planetary Change › Impact of Light on Environment and Health
Keywords
melatonin, pineal gland, suprachiasmatic nucleus, circadian rhythm, sleep regulation, antioxidant activity, anti-apoptotic signaling, neuroprotection, neurodegenerative diseases, immunomodulation, circadian rhythm sleep disorders, jet lag, shift work disorder, insomnia, agomelatine, photoperiodism, seasonal reproduction, melatonin analogues
MeSH terms
Animals, Antioxidants, Chronobiology Phenomena, Depression, Humans, Melatonin, Models, Chemical, Plant Proteins, Sleep, Signal Transduction, Free Radical Scavengers, Apoptosis, Receptors, Melatonin

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