Physiological and pharmacological perspectives of melatonin.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to review melatonin's physiological functions, therapeutic benefits, and its role in various health conditions.
Results Summary
Melatonin regulates circadian rhythm, sleep-wake cycle, and has roles in detoxification, immune function, neuroprotection, and oncostatic effects. Impaired melatonin secretion is linked to sleep disorders, cancer progression, diabetes, and neurodegenerative diseases, with therapeutic benefits noted in cancer protection, sleep disorders, psychiatric disorders, and jet lag.
Population
Not specified (general review)
Effective Dosage
Not specified
Duration
Not specified
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
melatonin | neutral | physiological functions at dark | - | - | regulates | #1 |
melatonin | neutral | internal rhythm with daily and seasonal variations | - | - | synchronises | #2 |
melatonin | neutral | circadian rhythm | - | - | regulates | #3 |
melatonin | neutral | sleep-wake cycle | - | - | regulates | #4 |
melatonin | neutral | detoxification of free radicals | - | - | involves in | #5 |
melatonin | neutral | immune functions | - | - | involves in | #6 |
melatonin | neutral | neuro-protection | - | - | involves in | #7 |
melatonin | neutral | oncostatic effects | - | - | involves in | #8 |
melatonin | neutral | cardiovascular functions | - | - | involves in | #9 |
melatonin | neutral | reproduction | - | - | involves in | #10 |
melatonin | neutral | foetal development | - | - | involves in | #11 |
impaired melatonin secretion | increase | sleep disorder | - | - | promotes | #12 |
impaired melatonin secretion | increase | cancer progression | - | - | promotes | #13 |
impaired melatonin secretion | increase | type-2 diabetes | - | - | promotes | #14 |
impaired melatonin secretion | increase | neurodegenerative diseases | - | - | promotes | #15 |
melatonin | neutral | cancer protection | - | - | therapeutic benefits | #16 |
melatonin | neutral | sleep disorder | - | - | therapeutic benefits | #17 |
melatonin | neutral | psychiatric disorders | - | - | therapeutic benefits | #18 |
melatonin | neutral | jet lag problems | - | - | therapeutic benefits | #19 |
The pineal gland is a interface between light-dark cycle and shows neuro-endocrine functions. Melatonin is the primary hormone of pineal gland, secreted at night. The night-time melatonin peak regulates the physiological functions at dark. Melatonin has several unique features as it synchronises internal rhythm with daily and seasonal variations, regulates circadian rhythm and sleep-wake cycle. Physiologically melatonin involves in detoxification of free radicals, immune functions, neuro-protection, oncostatic effects, cardiovascular functions, reproduction, and foetal development. The precise functions of melatonin are exhibited by specific receptors. In relation to pathophysiology, impaired melatonin secretion promotes sleep disorder, cancer progression, type-2 diabetes, and neurodegenerative diseases. Several reports have highlighted the therapeutic benefits of melatonin specially related to cancer protection, sleep disorder, psychiatric disorders, and jet lag problems. This review will touch the most of the area of melatonin-oriented health impacts and its therapeutic aspects.