https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/jpi.12360 (Full article here)
Melatonin as an antioxidant: under promises but over delivers
Russel J. Reiter, Juan C. Mayo*, Dun-Xian Tan, Rosa M. Sainz*, Moises Alatorre-Jimenez, Lilan Qin
Accepted August 5, 2016
Abstract
Melatonin is uncommonly effective in reducing oxidative stress under a remarkably
large number of circumstances. It achieves this action via a variety of means: direct
detoxification of reactive oxygen and reactive nitrogen species and indirectly by
stimulating antioxidant enzymes while suppressing the activity of pro- oxidant en–
zymes. In addition to these well- described actions, melatonin also reportedly che–
lates transition metals, which are involved in the Fenton/Haber–Weiss reactions; in
doing so, melatonin reduces the formation of the devastatingly toxic hydroxyl radical
resulting in the reduction of oxidative stress. Melatonin’s ubiquitous but unequal
intracellular distribution, including its high concentrations in mitochondria, likely
aid in its capacity to resist oxidative stress and cellular apoptosis. There is credible
evidence to suggest that melatonin should be classified as a mitochondria- targeted
antioxidant. Melatonin’s capacity to prevent oxidative damage and the associated
physiological debilitation is well documented in numerous experimental ischemia/
reperfusion (hypoxia/reoxygenation) studies especially in the brain (stroke) and in
the heart (heart attack). Melatonin, via its antiradical mechanisms, also reduces the
toxicity of noxious prescription drugs and of methamphetamine, a drug of abuse.
Experimental findings also indicate that melatonin renders treatment-resistant can–
cers sensitive to various therapeutic agents and may be useful, due to its multiple
antioxidant actions, in especially delaying and perhaps treating a variety of age-
related diseases and dehumanizing conditions. Melatonin has been effectively used
to combat oxidative stress, inflammation and cellular apoptosis and to restore tissue
function in a number of human trials; its efficacy supports its more extensive use in a
wider variety of human studies. The uncommonly high- safety profile of melatonin
also bolsters this conclusion. It is the current feeling of the authors that, in view of
the widely diverse beneficial functions that have been reported for melatonin, these
may be merely epiphenomena of the more fundamental, yet- to- be identified basic
action(s) of this ancient molecule
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**Comment**
Melatonin, normally thought of as the “sleep hormone,” does so much and may help Lyme/MSIDS patients particularly due to the amount of inflammation they struggle with, as well as oxidative stress, sleep issues, and the need to detoxify due to harsh antimicrobial treatment. When I heard about it’s ability to detoxify the brain, I knew I had to read up on it. I’ve been using it ever since.
