Melatonin

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Introduction

Melatonin is a hormone primarily produced by the pineal gland in response to the light/dark cycle. It plays a crucial role in regulating circadian rhythms, sleep, and various physiological processes. Beyond its role in sleep regulation, melatonin exhibits antioxidant properties, influences immune responses, and has potential therapeutic applications in treating sleep disorders and neurodegenerative diseases.

Key Insights

Circadian Rhythm and Sleep Regulation:
- Melatonin is synthesized in the pineal gland and regulated by the light/dark cycle, acting as a "hormone of darkness" to signal nighttime and promote sleep .
- Exogenous melatonin is effective in reducing sleep onset latency and regulating sleep-wake patterns, particularly in primary insomnia, delayed sleep phase syndrome, and non-24-hour sleep-wake syndrome in blind individuals .
Antioxidant Properties:
- Melatonin and its metabolites possess strong free radical scavenging properties, reducing oxidative damage to lipids, proteins, and DNA .
- It upregulates antioxidant enzymes and downregulates pro-oxidant enzymes, contributing to its protective effects against oxidative stress .
Immune and Inflammatory Modulation:
- Melatonin regulates inflammatory and immune processes, acting as both an activator and inhibitor of these responses. It modulates pro-inflammatory enzymes and cytokine production, and its antioxidant ability helps in scavenging oxidative stress in inflamed tissues.
Therapeutic Applications:
- Melatonin's chronobiotic properties are valuable in treating circadian rhythm sleep disorders such as jet lag and shift-work sleep disorder .
- It has shown potential in treating neurodegenerative diseases due to its cytoprotective properties and ability to maintain mitochondrial function .
- Prolonged-release melatonin formulations, such as Circadin®, improve sleep quality and latency, especially in older adults, without the adverse effects associated with traditional hypnotics.

Conclusion

Melatonin is a multifaceted hormone with significant roles in regulating circadian rhythms and sleep. Its potent antioxidant properties and ability to modulate immune responses make it a valuable therapeutic agent for various conditions, including sleep disorders and neurodegenerative diseases. The diverse physiological functions and therapeutic potential of melatonin underscore its importance in both clinical and research settings.