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Melatonin: A look at protozoal and helminths

Pablo Igor Ribeiro Franco1, José Rodrigues do Carmo Neto1, Rhanoica Oliveira Guerra2

  • 1Instituto de Patologia Tropical e Saúde Pública, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Medicina Tropical e Saúde Pública, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia, GO, Brazil.

Biochimie
|August 4, 2023
PubMed

Insights

Melatonin, a neurohormone, shows potential in fighting parasitic infections. This review explores its protective roles and mechanisms against protozoan and helminth diseases.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroendocrinology
  • Immunology
  • Parasitology

Background:

  • Melatonin is a neurohormone derived from tryptophan metabolism.
  • It regulates circadian rhythms and exhibits antitumor properties.
  • Melatonin possesses immunomodulatory, antioxidant, and cytoprotective effects.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the protective and pathophysiological roles of melatonin in protozoan and helminth infections.
  • To discuss the potential therapeutic mechanisms of melatonin against these parasites.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of in vitro and in vivo studies.
  • Analysis of molecular mechanisms of melatonin action.
  • Examination of signaling pathways modulated by melatonin.

Main Results:

  • Melatonin exhibits therapeutic potential in various infectious and parasitic diseases.
  • Its effects are mediated through G protein-coupled receptors and intracellular targets.
  • Melatonin influences signal transduction pathways relevant to host defense.

Conclusions:

  • Melatonin plays a significant role in combating protozoan and helminth infections.
  • Understanding melatonin's mechanisms can lead to novel antiparasitic strategies.
  • Further research is warranted to explore melatonin's full therapeutic capacity.
Keywords:
HelminthsHost-parasite interactionsMelatoninParasitesProtozoan infectionsTherapeutics

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