Melatonin as a Potential Adjuvant Treatment for COVID-19 beyond Sleep Disorders.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to evaluate melatonin's potential as a treatment for COVID-19-related sleep disturbances and its additional therapeutic effects against SARS-CoV-2.
Results Summary
The study suggests melatonin may improve sleep quality in COVID-19 patients, inhibit viral progression, reduce inflammation, and enhance vaccination efficacy, though clinical trials are needed for verification.
Population
Patients aged 55+ with circadian rhythm sleep-wake disorders or insomnia, and potentially COVID-19 patients.
Effective Dosage
Not specified
Duration
Not specified
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
melatonin | neutral | circadian rhythm sleep-wake disorders and insomnia | patients aged 55 years and over | - | is registered to treat | #1 |
melatonin | neutral | sleep disturbances related to COVID-19 | - | - | has the potential to be a recommended treatment for | #2 |
melatonin | decrease | COVID-19 progression | - | - | may inhibit | #3 |
melatonin | decrease | the entrance of the SARS-CoV-2 virus into cells | - | - | may lower the risk of | #4 |
melatonin | decrease | uncontrolled hyper-inflammation | - | - | may reduce | #5 |
melatonin | decrease | the activation of immune cells | - | - | may reduce | #6 |
melatonin | decrease | tissues and multiorgan failure due to the action of free radicals | - | - | may limit the damage of | #7 |
melatonin | decrease | ventilator-induced lung injury | - | - | may reduce | #8 |
melatonin | decrease | the risk of disability resulting from fibrotic changes within the lungs | - | - | may reduce | #9 |
melatonin | increase | the efficacy of COVID-19 vaccination | - | - | may increase | #10 |
melatonin | neutral | sleep disturbances | COVID-19 patients | - | is a preferable drug for treating | #11 |
Melatonin is registered to treat circadian rhythm sleep-wake disorders and insomnia in patients aged 55 years and over. The essential role of the circadian sleep rhythm in the deterioration of sleep quality during COVID-19 confinement and the lack of an adverse effect of melatonin on respiratory drive indicate that melatonin has the potential to be a recommended treatment for sleep disturbances related to COVID-19. This review article describes the effects of melatonin additional to its sleep-related effects, which make this drug an attractive therapeutic option for treating patients with COVID-19. The preclinical data suggest that melatonin may inhibit COVID-19 progression. It may lower the risk of the entrance of the SARS-CoV-2 virus into cells, reduce uncontrolled hyper-inflammation and the activation of immune cells, limit the damage of tissues and multiorgan failure due to the action of free radicals, and reduce ventilator-induced lung injury and the risk of disability resulting from fibrotic changes within the lungs. Melatonin may also increase the efficacy of COVID-19 vaccination. The high safety profile of melatonin and its potential anti-SARS-CoV-2 effects make this molecule a preferable drug for treating sleep disturbances in COVID-19 patients. However, randomized clinical trials are needed to verify the clinical usefulness of melatonin in the treatment of COVID-19.