Tags

Type your tag names separated by a space and hit enter

Melatonin: new places in therapy.
Biosci Rep. 2007 Dec; 27(6):299-320.BR

Abstract

The fact that the full extent of the function of the pineal gland has not yet been elucidated, has stimulated melatonin research worldwide. This review introduces melatonin's mechanism of action, direct and indirect antioxidant actions as well as the antioxidant properties of its metabolites, 6-hydroxymelatonin (6-OHM) and N-acetyl-N-formyl-5-methoxykynurenamine (AFMK). At present the mechanism of action is proposed to be receptor-, protein- and nonprotein-mediated. From its popular role in the treatment of jetlag, melatonin is now implicated in the reduction of oxidative stess, both as a free radical scavenger and antioxidant. Melatonin's direct scavenging action in respect of the following will be discussed: superoxide anions, hydrogen peroxide, hydroxyl radicals, singlet oxygen, peroxy radicals and nitric oxide/peroxy nitrite anions. In addition melatonin also possesses indirect antioxidant activity and the role of its metabolites, AFMK and 6-OHM will be presented. It is these free radical scavenging and antioxidant properties of melatonin that has shifted the focus from that of merely strengthening circadian rhythms to that of neuroprotectant: a new place in therapy.

Links

Publisher Full Text
Aggregator Full Text

Authors+Show Affiliations

Maharaj DS
Faculty of Pharmacy, Rhodes University, P.O. Box 94, Grahamstown, 6140, South Africa.
Glass BD
No affiliation info available
Daya S
No affiliation info available

MeSH

AnimalsAntioxidantsCircadian RhythmHumansKynuramineMelatoninNeuroprotective AgentsPineal GlandReactive Oxygen Species

Pub Type(s)

Journal Article
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Review

Language

eng

PubMed ID

17828452

Citation

Maharaj, Deepa S., et al. "Melatonin: New Places in Therapy." Bioscience Reports, vol. 27, no. 6, 2007, pp. 299-320.
Maharaj DS, Glass BD, Daya S. Melatonin: new places in therapy. Biosci Rep. 2007;27(6):299-320.
Maharaj, D. S., Glass, B. D., & Daya, S. (2007). Melatonin: new places in therapy. Bioscience Reports, 27(6), 299-320.
Maharaj DS, Glass BD, Daya S. Melatonin: New Places in Therapy. Biosci Rep. 2007;27(6):299-320. PubMed PMID: 17828452.
* Article titles in AMA citation format should be in sentence-case
TY - JOUR T1 - Melatonin: new places in therapy. AU - Maharaj,Deepa S, AU - Glass,Beverley D, AU - Daya,Santy, PY - 2007/9/11/pubmed PY - 2008/3/5/medline PY - 2007/9/11/entrez SP - 299 EP - 320 JF - Bioscience reports JO - Biosci Rep VL - 27 IS - 6 N2 - The fact that the full extent of the function of the pineal gland has not yet been elucidated, has stimulated melatonin research worldwide. This review introduces melatonin's mechanism of action, direct and indirect antioxidant actions as well as the antioxidant properties of its metabolites, 6-hydroxymelatonin (6-OHM) and N-acetyl-N-formyl-5-methoxykynurenamine (AFMK). At present the mechanism of action is proposed to be receptor-, protein- and nonprotein-mediated. From its popular role in the treatment of jetlag, melatonin is now implicated in the reduction of oxidative stess, both as a free radical scavenger and antioxidant. Melatonin's direct scavenging action in respect of the following will be discussed: superoxide anions, hydrogen peroxide, hydroxyl radicals, singlet oxygen, peroxy radicals and nitric oxide/peroxy nitrite anions. In addition melatonin also possesses indirect antioxidant activity and the role of its metabolites, AFMK and 6-OHM will be presented. It is these free radical scavenging and antioxidant properties of melatonin that has shifted the focus from that of merely strengthening circadian rhythms to that of neuroprotectant: a new place in therapy. SN - 0144-8463 UR - https://www.unboundmedicine.com/medline/citation/17828452/Melatonin:_new_places_in_therapy_ L2 - https://portlandpress.com/bioscirep/article-lookup/doi/10.1007/s10540-007-9052-1 DB - PRIME DP - Unbound Medicine ER -