Melatonin
Melatonin is a hormone found in animals, plants, and microbes.[1][2][3] In animals, levels of melatonin have a daily cycle. It drives the circadian rhythms of several biological functions.[4]
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.[5]
Melatonin acts on melatonin receptors.[6] It also acts directly because it is a powerful antioxidant,[7] which protects DNA.[8]
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.[9] 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,[10] and in Australia in 2009.[11]
It is often given to young people with sleep problems.[12]
Melatonin Media
Melatonin Biosynthesisadricorr7
Mechanism of melatonin biosynthesis
A bottle of melatonin tablets. Melatonin is also available in timed-release and in liquid forms.
References
- ↑ MelatoninSleepdex. Retrieved 2011-08-17.
- ↑ Caniato R.. Developments in Tryptophan and Serotonin Metabolism. Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology 527 (2003). p. 593–7. ISBN 978-0-306-47755-3. doi:10.1007/978-1-4615-0135-0_68.
- ↑ Paredes S.D.. Phytomelatonin: a review. J. Exp. Bot. 60 (1) (2009). p. 57–69. doi:10.1093/jxb/ern284.
- ↑ Altun A. & Ugur-Altun B.. Melatonin: therapeutic and clinical utilization. Int. J. Clin. Pract. 61 (5) (2007). p. 835–45. doi:10.1111/j.1742-1241.2006.01191.x.
- ↑ Kaur C. & Ling E.A.. Antioxidants and neuroprotection in the adult and developing central nervous system. Curr. Med. Chem. 15 (29) (2008). p. 3068–80. doi:10.2174/092986708786848640.
- ↑ Boutin J.A.. Molecular tools to study melatonin pathways and actions. Trends Pharmacol. Sci. 26 (8) (2005). p. 412–9. doi:10.1016/j.tips.2005.06.006.
- ↑ Hardeland R. Antioxidative protection by melatonin: multiplicity of mechanisms from radical detoxification to radical avoidance. Endocrine 27 (2) (2005). p. 119–30. doi:10.1385/ENDO:27:2:119.
- ↑ Reiter R.J.. Free radical-mediated molecular damage. Mechanisms for the protective actions of melatonin in the central nervous system. Ann. N.Y. Acad. Sci. 939 (1) (2001). p. 200–15. doi:10.1111/j.1749-6632.2001.tb03627.x.
- ↑ Buscemi N.. Melatonin for treatment of sleep disorders. Evidence Report/Technology Assessment #108 (108) (2004)Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), US Department of Health and Human Services. p. 1–7. doi:10.1037/e439412005-001. Retrieved 5 June 2013.
- ↑ European Medicines Agency. Circadin, melatonin. European Public Assessment Report (EPAR)European Medicines Agency. Retrieved 5 June 2013.
- ↑ Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). Australian Public Assessment Report for MelatoninDepartment of Health and Ageing, Australian Government. Retrieved 5 June 2013.
- ↑ Robinson, Julia. Number of children prescribed melatonin up 170% in seven years (in en-US). The Pharmaceutical Journal. Retrieved 2023-02-10.