title: Melatonin: circadian rhythm regulator, chronobiotic, antioxidant and beyond.
abstract: For many years, melatonin has been known to interact with circadian rhythms. New evidence indicates that melatonin acts as a free radical scavenger and antioxidant. Moreover, melatonin prevents apoptosis in different types of cells, because it induces mRNA levels of several antioxidant enzymes. It is evident that melatonin is involved in the cellular bioenergetic system as a mechanism that counteracts the progression of Alzheimer's disease.
authors.affiliation: Institute of General Physiology and Biochemistry, Giovanni Esposito, University of Milan, Faculty of Pharmacy, Via Trentacoste 2, Milan 20134, Italy. bruno.berra@unimi.it
authors.forename: Bruno
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Berra
authors.forename: Angela Maria
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Rizzo
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000502:physiology*; D002940:Circadian Rhythm / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008550:Melatonin / Q000502:physiology*; D012893:Sleep Wake Disorders / Q000209:etiology
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D008550:Melatonin