Is Melatonin the Cornucopia of the 21st Century?
Open accessAbstract
Melatonin, an indoleamine hormone produced and secreted at night by pinealocytes and extra-pineal cells, plays an important role in timing circadian rhythms (24-h internal clock) and regulating the sleep/wake cycle in humans. However, in recent years melatonin has gained much attention mainly because of its demonstrated powerful lipophilic antioxidant and free radical scavenging action. Melatonin has been proven to be twice as active as vitamin E, believed to be the most effective lipophilic antioxidant. Melatonin-induced signal transduction through melatonin receptors promotes the expression of antioxidant enzymes as well as inflammation-related genes. Melatonin also exerts an immunomodulatory action through the stimulation of high-affinity receptors expressed in immunocompetent cells. Here, we reviewed the efficacy, safety and side effects of melatonin supplementation in treating oxidative stress- and/or inflammation-related disorders, such as obesity, cardiovascular diseases, immune disorders, infectious diseases, cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, as well as osteoporosis and infertility.
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Acute or chronic inflammation and stress have been found to increase the throughput of the kynurenine pathway, leading to an increase in tryptophan's conversion to kynurenine.
“Conversely, acute or chronic inflammation and stress have been found to increase the throughput of the kynurenine pathway, leading to an increase in tryptophan’s conversion to kynurenine [32,55].”
From Is Melatonin the “Next Vitamin D”?: A Review of Emerging Science, Clinical Uses, Safety, and Dietary Supplements (2022) · cites this paper as [55]
When AhR is triggered, overall endogenous pineal melatonin production is suppressed.
“When AhR is triggered, overall endogenous pineal melatonin production is suppressed [32,55,56,57,58].”
From Is Melatonin the “Next Vitamin D”?: A Review of Emerging Science, Clinical Uses, Safety, and Dietary Supplements (2022) · cites this paper as [55]
High concentration levels of kynurenine in the brain are present in instances of depression.
“High concentration levels of kynurenine in the brain are present in instances of depression [32,55].”
From Is Melatonin the “Next Vitamin D”?: A Review of Emerging Science, Clinical Uses, Safety, and Dietary Supplements (2022) · cites this paper as [55]
Exercise has been found to increase the throughput in the serotonin-melatonin pathway, eventually increasing both serotonin and melatonin levels and impacting mood and cognition.
“Exercise has been found to increase the throughput in the serotonin-melatonin pathway, eventually increasing both serotonin and melatonin levels and impacting mood and cognition [55].”
From Is Melatonin the “Next Vitamin D”?: A Review of Emerging Science, Clinical Uses, Safety, and Dietary Supplements (2022) · cites this paper as [55]
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References 218 · Cited by 189
Research works printed but not linked: 1
- [21]Savage R.A. Zafar N. Yohannan S. Miller J.M.M. Melatonin StatPearls Treasure Island, FL, USA 2020 30521244
- Authors
- Ferlazzo, N., Andolina, G., Cannata, A., Costanzo, M. G., Rizzo, V., Currò, M., Ientile, R., & Caccamo, D.
- Affiliations
- Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Policlinico "G. Martino" (IT)
- Corresponding author
- Caccamo, Daniela
- Venue
- Antioxidants
- Publisher
- MDPI AG
- Published
- 2020-11-05
- Volume
- 9
- Issue
- 11
- Pages
- 1088
- ISSN
- 2076-3921 (ISSN-L)
- PMC
- PMC7694322
- OpenAlex
- W3096529293
- Cited by
- 189
- References
- 218
- Citations by year
- 2026: 17 · 2025: 19 · 2024: 54 · 2023: 32 · 2022: 45 · 2021: 21 · 2020: 1
- FWCI
- 3.34
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- gold
- doi.org
- Licence
- Locations
- Antioxidants (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Endocrine and Autonomic Systems › Circadian rhythm and melatonin
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Biochemistry › Antioxidant Activity and Oxidative Stress
- Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Cell Biology › melanin and skin pigmentation
- Keywords
- melatonin, antioxidant activity, free radical scavenging, melatonin receptors, signal transduction, antioxidant enzymes, inflammation, immunomodulation, oxidative stress, melatonin supplementation, circadian rhythm, sleep-wake cycle, obesity, cardiovascular disease, cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, osteoporosis, infertility, infectious diseases
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