Multiple Malady Management With Melatonin

Melatonin is hormone synthesized within the pineal gland. It is secreted in the evening and appears to play multiple roles. The hormone contributes to the regulation of biological rhythms, may induce sleep, has strong antioxidant action and appears to contribute to the protection of the organism from carcinogenesis and neurodegenerative disorders.

A new report in Therapeutic Advances in Endocrinology and Metabolism states that at a therapeutic level as well as in prevention, melatonin is used for the management of sleep disorders and jet lag, for the resynchronization of circadian rhythms in situations such as blindness and shift work, for its preventive action in the development of cancer, as additive therapy in cancer, as therapy for rheumatoid arthritis, and as therapy for preventing the progression of Alzheimer's disease and other neurodegenerative disorders.

Most interestingly is what the authors say about Melatonin as an antioxidant and cancer preventive/adjuvant.

Melatonin is a very potent free radical recipient and a general antioxidant. As an antioxidant melatonin binds potently the toxic hydroxyl and hyperoxide radicals. The property of melatonin to act as an antioxidant by itself and through its metabolites makes it extremely effective, even at a low concentration, in the protection of living organisms from oxidative stress. In agreement with melatonin's protective function, significant amounts of melatonin have been detected in tissues and organs exposed to hostile environmental attacks, such as the skin and the bowel, and in organs with high oxygen consumption, such as the brain, melatonin production being increased by agents inducing low-intensity stress, such as exercise in humans.

Melatonin seems to contribute to cancer prevention and may also be used as additive therapy in cancer. According to the authors, many studies have shown that melatonin inhibits the growth of breast cancer cells, cervical cancer cells and ovarian cancer cells. Melatonin is a new member of a group of regulatory factors controlling cell multiplication and death. In physiologic concentrations melatonin is cytostatic and inhibits cancer cell multiplication via action in the cell cycle. In pharmacologic concentrations melatonin has a cytotoxic effect on cancer cells.

As an adjuvant therapy, the effect of melatonin was investigated in a group of 1440 patients with progressive solid cancer who received supportive therapy with or without melatonin. The frequency of cachexia, thrombocytopenia and lymphopenia was significantly lower in patients receiving melatonin than in those receiving only supportive therapy. The percentage of patients with disease stabilization and the annual survival were higher in patients receiving melatonin than in those receiving only supportive therapy. The objective response of patients to therapy was significantly greater in patients receiving melatonin and chemotherapy than those receiving only chemotherapy.

Exciting stuff!