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Melatonin in antinociception: its therapeutic applications
Venkatramanujam Srinivasan1, Edward C Lauterbach, Khek Yu Ho
1Sri Sathya Sai Medical Educational and Research Foundation, Medical Sciences Research Study Center, Prasanthi Nilayam, 40 Kovai Thirunagar, Coimbatore-641014, Tamilnadu, India.
Current Neuropharmacology
|December 4, 2012
Summary
Melatonin, a hormone, reduces pain perception, especially at night. It acts on the central nervous system via MT(1)/MT(2) receptors, offering potential pain management strategies.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Pharmacology
- Pain Research
Background:
- Pain perception varies significantly between day and night.
- Melatonin levels are high during the night, correlating with lower pain sensitivity.
- This suggests melatonin's role as a natural analgesic.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the evidence for melatonin's antinociceptive effects.
- To explore the mechanisms underlying melatonin's pain-relieving actions.
- To discuss melatonin's therapeutic potential in various pain conditions.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing animal studies on melatonin's role in acute, inflammatory, and neuropathic pain models.
- Analysis of studies investigating melatonin's receptor interactions (opioid, benzodiazepine, adrenergic, serotonergic, cholinergic, and melatonergic).
- Examination of clinical applications of melatonin for pain management.
Main Results:
- Melatonin demonstrates significant antinociceptive effects at both spinal and supraspinal levels.
- Its action involves multiple receptor systems, with MT(1)/MT(2) melatonergic receptors being crucial in the spinal cord.
- Exogenous melatonin has shown efficacy in managing conditions like fibromyalgia, IBS, migraines, and cluster headaches, and enhances surgical analgesia.
Conclusions:
- Melatonin, acting via MT(1)/MT(2) receptors, plays a key role in pain pathophysiology.
- Melatonin is a promising therapeutic agent for diverse pain conditions and perioperative pain management.
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