Title:New Uses of Melatonin as a Drug; A Review
Volume: 29
Issue: 20
Author(s): Miroslav Pohanka*
Affiliation:
- Faculty of Military Health Sciences, University of Defense, Trebesska 1575, Hradec Kralove CZ-50001,
Czech Republic
Keywords:
Antioxidant, biomedicine, cancer, circadian rhythm, neurodegenerative disorder, oxidative stress, senescence, sleep.
Abstract: Melatonin is a simple compound called N-acetyl-5-methoxy tryptamine and is
known as a hormone controlling the circadian rhythm. Melatonin is produced by the human
body naturally. The production of melatonin increases in the evening, causing a
state of sleep at night and wakefulness during the day. Melatonin interacts with melatonin
receptors MT1 and MT2, but it was revealed that melatonin is a strong antioxidant
and it also has a role in the regulation of the cell cycle. Melatonin is now used as a
medicine to treat some types of sleep disorders. Moreover, recent research suggests that
it can also be utilized for other purposes, such as prevention from chemical exposure and
treatment of various diseases, including cancer, neurodegenerative disorders, etc. This review
summarizes the basic facts and direction of the current research on melatonin. The
existing literature was scrutinized for this review.
