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Actions of melatonin in the reduction of oxidative stress

A review

  • Review
  • Published:
Journal of Biomedical Science

Abstract

Melatonin was discovered to be a direct free radical scavenger less than 10 years ago. Besides its ability to directly neutralize a number of free radicals and reactive oxygen and nitrogen species, it stimulates several antioxidative enzymes which increase its efficiency as an antioxidant. In terms of direct free radical scavenging, melatonin interacts with the highly toxic hydroxyl radical with a rate constant equivalent to that of other highly efficient hydroxyl radical scavengers. Additionally, melatonin reportedly neutralizes hydrogen peroxide, singlet oxygen, peroxynitrite anion, nitric oxide and hypochlorous acid. The following antioxidative enzymes are also stimulated by melatonin: superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase and glutathione reductase. Melatonin has been widely used as a protective agent against a wide variety of processes and agents that damage tissues via free radical mechanisms.

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  1. Department of Cellular and Structural Biology, Mail Code 7762, The University of Texas Health Science Center, 7703 Floyd Curl Drive, 78229-3900, San Antonio, TX, USA

    Russel J. Reiter, Dun-xian Tan, Carmen Osuna & Eloisa Gitto

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Reiter, R.J., Tan, Dx., Osuna, C. et al. Actions of melatonin in the reduction of oxidative stress. J Biomed Sci 7, 444–458 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02253360

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