Title:Potential Relevance of Melatonin Against Some Infectious Agents: A Review and Assessment of Recent Research
Volume: 22
Issue: 33
Author(s): Ehab Kotb Elmahallawy, Javier Ortega Luque, Abdelkarim Saleh Aloweidi, Jose Gutierrez -Fernandez, Antonio Sampedro-Martinez, Javier Rodriguez-Granger, Abdullah Kaki and Ahmad Agil
Affiliation:
Keywords:
Bacterial and viral infection, immune system modulation, ion fluxes, melatonin, parasite, therapeutic
effects.
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.