title: Melatonin: pharmacological aspects and clinical trends.
abstract: Melatonin, N-acetyl-5-methoxytryptamine, the major hormone produced by the pineal gland under the influence of the dark/light cycle, has been shown to have a large number of therapeutic possibilities. It has been utilized in several countries for circadian rhythm disorders, sleep disturbances, jet lag, and sleep-wake cycle disturbances in blind people, and shift workers. In our mechanism of act, the G(i) protein-coupled metabotropic melatonin receptors MT1 and MT2 are the primary mediators of the physiological actions of melatonin. This hormone plays an important role in the regulation of physiological and neuroendocrine functions, such as synchronization of seasonal reproductive rhythms and entrainment of circadian cycles. In addition to its chronobiological role, several pharmacological effects of melatonin have been reported in mammals including sedative, antioxidant, anxiolytic, antidepressant, anticonvulsant, and analgesic activities. There is some evidence from clinical trials that melatonin can be helpful in that event. Current trends of pharmacological functions of melatonin pointed out its use in the treatment of neurodegenerative and neoplastic diseases. These effects and uses of melatonin are mentioned but further confirmatory studies are needed in most of them.
authors: Laboratory of Neuropharmacology, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, Brazil. emilianovasconcelos@yahoo.com.br
authors: Emiliano Ricardo Vasconcelos
authors: ER
authors: Rios
authors: Edith Teles
authors: ET
authors: Venâncio
authors: Nayrton Flávio Moura
authors: NF
authors: Rocha
authors: David John
authors: DJ
authors: Woods
authors: Silvania
authors: S
authors: Vasconcelos
authors: Danielle
authors: D
authors: Macedo
authors: Francisca Cléa Florenço de
authors: FC
authors: Sousa
authors: Marta Maria de França
authors: MM
authors: Fonteles
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000378:metabolism; D003863:Depression / Q000188:drug therapy; D016166:Free Radical Scavengers; D006801:Humans; D007192:Indenes; D020179:Jet Lag Syndrome / Q000178:diet therapy; D008550:Melatonin / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D044094:Receptors, Melatonin / Q000378:metabolism; D012890:Sleep / Q000502:physiology; D020178:Sleep Disorders, Circadian Rhythm / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D000975:Antioxidants; D016166:Free Radical Scavengers; D007192:Indenes; D044094:Receptors, Melatonin; C495910:ramelteon; D008550:Melatonin