title: Role of melatonin in traumatic brain injury and spinal cord injury.
abstract: Brain and spinal cord are implicated in incidences of two of the most severe injuries of central nervous system (CNS). Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a devastating neurological deficit involving primary and secondary injury cascades. The primary and secondary mechanisms include complex consequences of activation of proinflammatory cytokines, cerebral edema, upregulation of NF-κ β, disruption of blood-brain barrier (BBB), and oxidative stress. Spinal cord injury (SCI) includes primary and secondary injury cascades. Primary injury leads to secondary injury in which generation of free radicals and oxidative or nitrative damage play an important pathophysiological role. The indoleamine melatonin is a hormone secreted or synthesized by pineal gland in the brain which helps to regulate sleep and wake cycle. Melatonin has been shown to be a versatile hormone having antioxidative, antiapoptotic, neuroprotective, and anti-inflammatory properties. It has a special characteristic of crossing BBB. Melatonin has neuroprotective role in the injured part of the CNS after TBI and SCI. A number of studies have successfully shown its therapeutic value as a neuroprotective agent in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. Here in this review we have compiled the literature supporting consequences of CNS injuries, TBI and SCI, and the protective role of melatonin in it.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Elementology and Toxicology, Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi 110062, India.
authors.forename: Mehar
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Naseem
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Elementology and Toxicology, Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi 110062, India.
authors.forename: Suhel
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Parvez
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D006801:Humans; D008550:Melatonin / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D018696:Neuroprotective Agents; D008550:Melatonin