Melatonin

Melatonin
C13H16N2O2

Melatonin is a hormone found in animals, plants, and microbes. In animals, levels of melatonin have a daily cycle. It drives the circadian rhythms of several biological functions.

Melatonin is produced in the pineal gland which is outside of the blood–brain barrier. It acts as a hormone, and is released into the blood.

Melatonin acts on melatonin receptors. It also acts directly because it is a powerful antioxidant, which protects DNA.

Melatonin supplements for humans can be given. Melatonin is categorized by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as a dietary supplement, not a drug. A prescription-only, timed release melatonin product for people aged 55 and over was approved for use by the European Medicines Agency in 2007, despite having shown only small effects, and in Australia in 2009.

It is often given to young people with sleep problems.

References

  1. ↑ "Melatonin". Sleepdex. Archived from the original on 2015-09-24. Retrieved 2011-08-17.
  2. ↑ Caniato R.; et al. (2003). "Melatonin in Plants". Developments in Tryptophan and Serotonin Metabolism. Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology. Vol. 527. pp. 593–7. doi:10.1007/978-1-4615-0135-0_68. ISBN 978-0-306-47755-3. PMID 15206778.
  3. ↑ Paredes S.D.; et al. (2009). "Phytomelatonin: a review". J. Exp. Bot. 60 (1): 57–69. doi:10.1093/jxb/ern284. PMID 19033551.
  4. ↑ Altun A. & Ugur-Altun B. (2007). "Melatonin: therapeutic and clinical utilization". Int. J. Clin. Pract. 61 (5): 835–45. doi:10.1111/j.1742-1241.2006.01191.x. PMID 17298593. S2CID 18050554.
  5. ↑ Kaur C. & Ling E.A. (2008). "Antioxidants and neuroprotection in the adult and developing central nervous system". Curr. Med. Chem. 15 (29): 3068–80. doi:10.2174/092986708786848640. PMID 19075654.
  6. ↑ Boutin J.A.; et al. (2005). "Molecular tools to study melatonin pathways and actions". Trends Pharmacol. Sci. 26 (8): 412–9. doi:10.1016/j.tips.2005.06.006. PMID 15992934.
  7. ↑ Hardeland R (2005). "Antioxidative protection by melatonin: multiplicity of mechanisms from radical detoxification to radical avoidance". Endocrine. 27 (2): 119–30. doi:10.1385/ENDO:27:2:119. PMID 16217125. S2CID 46984486.
  8. ↑ Reiter R.J.; Acuña-Castroviejo; Tan; Burkhardt; et al. (2001). "Free radical-mediated molecular damage. Mechanisms for the protective actions of melatonin in the central nervous system". Ann. N.Y. Acad. Sci. 939 (1): 200–15. Bibcode:2001NYASA.939..200R. doi:10.1111/j.1749-6632.2001.tb03627.x. PMID 11462772. S2CID 20404509.
  9. ↑ Buscemi N.; et al. (2004). "Melatonin for treatment of sleep disorders" (PDF). Evidence Report/Technology Assessment #108 (108). Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), US Department of Health and Human Services: 1–7. doi:10.1037/e439412005-001. PMC 4781368. PMID 15635761. Archived from the original (PDF) on 3 May 2013. Retrieved 5 June 2013.
  10. ↑ European Medicines Agency. "Circadin, melatonin". European Public Assessment Report (EPAR). European Medicines Agency. Archived from the original on 21 February 2018. Retrieved 5 June 2013.
  11. ↑ Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). "Australian Public Assessment Report for Melatonin" (PDF). Department of Health and Ageing, Australian Government. Archived from the original (PDF) on 3 September 2013. Retrieved 5 June 2013.
  12. ↑ Robinson, Julia. "Number of children prescribed melatonin up 170% in seven years". The Pharmaceutical Journal. Retrieved 2023-02-10.