Melatonin: A look at protozoal and helminths

Biochimie. 2023 Aug 2:S0300-9084(23)00182-7. doi: 10.1016/j.biochi.2023.07.021. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTMelatonin is a pleiotropic neurohormone found in different animal, plant, and microorganism species. It is a product resulting from tryptophan metabolism in the pineal gland and is widely known for its ability to synchronize the circadian rhythm to antitumor functions in different types of cancers. The molecular mechanisms responsible for its immunomodulatory, antioxidant and cytoprotective effects involve binding to high-affinity G protein-coupled receptors and interactions with intracellular targets that modulate signal transduction pathways. In vitro and in vivo studies have reported the therapeutic potential of melatonin in different infectious and parasitic diseases. In this review, the protective and pathophysiological roles of melatonin in fighting protozoan and helminth infections and the possible mechanisms involved against these stressors will be discussed.PMID:37541568 | DOI:10.1016/j.biochi.2023.07.021

Source: Biochimie - August 4, 2023 Category: Biochemistry Authors: Pablo Igor Ribeiro Franco Jos é Rodrigues do Carmo Neto Rhanoica Oliveira Guerra Priscilla Elias Ferreira da Silva Yarlla Loyane Lira Braga Mara R úbia Nunes Celes Liliana Borges de Menezes Marina Pacheco Miguel Juliana Reis Machado Source Type: research