title: Potential Relevance of Melatonin Against Some Infectious Agents: A Review and Assessment of Recent Research.
abstract: Melatonin, a tryptophan-derived neurohormone found in animals, plants, and microbes, participates in various biological and physiological functions. Among other properties, numerous in vitro or in vivo studies have reported its therapeutic potential against many parasites, bacteria and viruses. In this concern, melatonin was found to be effective against many parasites such as Plasmodium, Toxoplasma gondii, and Trypansoma cruzi, via various mechanisms such as modulation of calcium level and/or host immune system. Likewise, a recent investigation has reported in vitro activity of melatonin against Leishmania infantum promastigotes which is the causative agent of fascinating visceral Leishmaniasis. This review was initially undertaken to summarize some facts about certain physiological and therapeutic effects of melatonin. It also reviews the effects and action mechanisms of melatonin in bacterial and viral infection besides biology of different parasites which may provide a promising strategy for control of many diseases of public health importance.
authors: Ehab Kotb
authors: EK
authors: Elmahallawy
authors: Javier Ortega
authors: JO
authors: Luque
authors: Abdelkarim Saleh
authors: AS
authors: Aloweidi
authors: José
authors: J
authors: Gutiérrez-Fernández
authors: Antonio
authors: A
authors: Sampedro-Martínez
authors: Javier
authors: J
authors: Rodriguez-Granger
authors: Abdullah
authors: A
authors: Kaki
authors: Department of Zoonotic Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Sohag University, Sohag, Egypt. anasehab2010@gmail.com.
authors: Ahmad
authors: A
authors: Agil
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001419:Bacteria / Q000187:drug effects*; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology; D005658:Fungi / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D008550:Melatonin / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010271:Parasites / Q000187:drug effects*; D010272:Parasitic Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000469:parasitology; D014777:Virus Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000821:virology
chemical_list: D008550:Melatonin