Melatonin and inflammatory bowel disease: From basic mechanisms to clinical application

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology
• Immunology
• Sleep Medicine

Background:

• Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic condition influenced by immune responses, genetics, and gut dysbiosis.
• Sleep disturbances are increasingly associated with IBD pathogenesis, exacerbating inflammation in animal models.
• Melatonin, a hormone produced in the pineal gland and intestines, is being investigated for its therapeutic potential in IBD.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the impact of sleep disturbances and melatonin on IBD pathogenesis.
• To examine melatonin's effects on the intestinal barrier, gut microbiota, immune regulation, and oxidative stress in IBD.
• To synthesize findings from clinical studies on melatonin supplementation for IBD treatment.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of clinical studies and animal models.
• Analysis of melatonin's biological functions relevant to IBD.
• Evaluation of evidence for melatonin as an adjuvant therapy in IBD.

Main Results:

• Sleep deprivation aggravates IBD inflammation.
• Melatonin enhances the intestinal barrier, modulates gut bacteria, regulates immunity, and reduces oxidative stress.
• Animal models show melatonin relieves inflammation and heals ulcers; clinical studies suggest it may reduce disease activity in IBD patients.

Conclusions:

• Melatonin exhibits multifaceted therapeutic potential for IBD.
• Supplementation with melatonin may be a beneficial adjuvant therapy for managing inflammatory bowel disease.
• Further clinical research is warranted to fully establish melatonin's role in IBD treatment.