Melatonin is an efficient antioxidant

Pieri, Carlo; Moroni, Fausto; Marra, Maurizio; Marcheselli, Fiorella; Recchioni, Rina

doi:10.1016/0167-4943(94)00593-v

Cited by 113 publications

(62 citation statements)

References 25 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Unclassified

Order By: Relevance

“…Pieri et al [1995] and Reiter et al [1995Reiter et al [ , 1999 have thoroughly reviewed these data and provide explanations of the underlying chemistry of these phenomena. The antioxidant properties are now thought to mediate some of the nonreceptor roles of melatonin and may represent the original function of melatonin before its recruitment during the course of evolution as a night signal .…”

Section: Melatonin As An Antioxidantmentioning

confidence: 99%

Putative regulatory molecules in plants: evaluating melatonin

Tassel

O’Neill

2001

Journal of Pineal Research

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Numerous classes of chemicals have been considered as regulators of various aspects of plant growth and development. In evaluating these putative regulatory molecules, plant biologists have encountered a number of challenges, including: the problem of quantifying substances present at trace levels in extremely complex mixtures; difficulty in obtaining and interpreting phenotypic responses to exogenous applications; and, until recently, the inability to selectively alter endogenous levels of these substances. Melatonin (N-acetyl 5-methoxytryptamine), a methoxylated indoleamine, is a potential regulatory molecule found in plants. Although no specific phenotype is currently associated with melatonin or its analogs in higher plants, it has important and unique biological activity in many other taxa, from algae to primates. In these organisms, melatonin functions as a night signal, coordinating responses to diurnal and photoperiodic environmental cues. We assess the process by which melatonin has been evaluated in plants so far and find that many of the methods for melatonin analysis, which have been adopted from animal studies, are inappropriate for use with plant materials. Thus, despite some interesting preliminary reports, research supporting the case for melatonin as a plant regulator is still in its infancy.

show abstract

Section: Melatonin As An Antioxidantmentioning

confidence: 99%

Putative regulatory molecules in plants: evaluating melatonin

Tassel

O’Neill

2001

Journal of Pineal Research

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Other authors question the claim by Pied and collaborators (51,52) in reference to the efficacy of melatonin as a LOO* scavenger. While Scaiano (53) did no direct measurements, based on his studies he surmised that melatonin would be a good scavenger of the LOO~ but he made no specific estimates of its efficacy relative to vitamin E. Somewhat in contrast to Pieri et al (51,52), Marshall and co-workers (54) presumed melatonin was not as effective as vitamin E in scavenging the LOOo.…”

Section: O(7 Oonmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…According to the studies of Pieri and co-workers (51,52), melatonin is a superior LOO~ scavenger than vitamin E; indeed, they estimated melatonin to be twice as effective as tocopherol.…”

Section: O(7 Oonmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…While Scaiano (53) did no direct measurements, based on his studies he surmised that melatonin would be a good scavenger of the LOO~ but he made no specific estimates of its efficacy relative to vitamin E. Somewhat in contrast to Pieri et al (51,52), Marshall and co-workers (54) presumed melatonin was not as effective as vitamin E in scavenging the LOOo. They did, however, as did Chart and Tang (55), find that melatonin does neutralize hypochlorous acid.…”

Section: O(7 Oonmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Aging and oxygen toxicity: Relation to changes in melatonin

Reíter

1997

AGE

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Melatonin (N-acetyl-5-methoxytryptamine) is a chemical mediator produced in the pineal gland and other sites in the body. The melatonin found in the blood is derived almost exclusively from the pineal gland. Since the pineal synthesizes melatonin primarily at night, blood levels of the indole are also higher at night (5-15 fold) than during the day. Some individuals on a nightly basis produce twice as much melatonin as others of the same age. Throughout life, the melatonin rhythm gradually wanes such that, in advanced age, melatonin production is usually at a minimum. Melatonin was recently found to be a free radical scavenger and antioxidant. It has been shown, in the experimental setting, to protect against both free radical induced DNA damage and oxidative stress-mediated lipid peroxidation. Pharmacologically, melatonin has been shown to reduce oxidative damage caused by such toxins as the chemical carcinogen safrole, carbon tetrachloride, paraquat, bacterial lipopolysaccharide, kainic acid, 8-aminolevulinic and amyloid 13 peptide of AIzheimer's disease as well as a model of Parkinson's disease involving the drug 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP). Additionally, the oxidative damage caused by agents such as ionizing radiation and excessive exercise is reduced by melatonin. Since free radical-induced molecular injury may play a significant role in aging, melatonin's ability to protect against it suggests a potential function of melatonin in deferring aging and agerelated, free radical-based diseases. Besides its ability to abate oxidative damage, other beneficial features of melatonin may be important in combating the signs of aging; these include melatonin's immune-stimulating function, its sleep-promoting ability, its function as an anti-viral agent, and general protective actions at the cellular level. Definitive tests of the specific functions of physiological levels of melatonin in processes of aging are currently being conducted.

show abstract

“…Surprisingly, the studies showed the superiority of melatonin antioxidant capacity when compared with standard endogenous antioxidants present in the same molar concentration. Namely, melatonin was proved to be more potent than vitamin E, ascorbic acid, and glutathione [38,39]. Compared to standard hydrophilic antioxidants, melatonin can simply cross the blood brain barrier but remains partially soluble in water [40].…”

Section: Antioxidant Effectmentioning

confidence: 99%

Impact of melatonin on immunity: a review

Pohanka

2013

Open Medicine

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

AbstractMelatonin is a hormone produced by the pineal gland. In addition to its hormonal effect, it has strong antioxidant properties. Melatonin is probably best known for its ability to control circadian rhythm; it is sold in many countries as a supplement or drug for improving of sleep quality. However, melatonin’s effect is not limited to control of circadian rhythm:. it is involved in other effects, including cell cycle control and regulation of several important enzymes, including inhibition of inducible nitric oxide synthase. Melatonin affects immunity as well. It can modulate the immune response on disparate levels with a significant effect on inflammation. The role of melatonin in body regulatory process is not well understood; only limited conclusions can be drawn from known data. The current review attempts to summarize both basic facts about melatonin’s effects and propose research on the lesser known issues in the future.

show abstract

Melatonin is an efficient antioxidant

Cited by 113 publications

References 25 publications

Putative regulatory molecules in plants: evaluating melatonin

Putative regulatory molecules in plants: evaluating melatonin

Aging and oxygen toxicity: Relation to changes in melatonin

Impact of melatonin on immunity: a review

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About