Melatonin hybrids as multifunctional therapeutic agents: A comprehensive review

Compound hybridization has received attention due to its potential to address several diseases, including neurological disorders, cancer, infectious diseases, and others. Melatonin is a hormone with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective effects. Some drug design research has focused on synthesizing hybrid molecules in which melatonin is hybridized with other pharmacologically active compounds to increase therapeutic efficacy and reduce toxicity. These hybrids demonstrate improved binding affinity, selectivity, and pharmacokinetic characteristics compared to their separate components. This review shows the pharmacological assessment and therapeutic potential of diverse melatonin-based hybrids. These hybrids have exhibited significant efficacy in the treatment of complex diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, cancer, and inflammatory disorders. Hybridization leads to the synthesis of a new generation of structures that represent a promising therapeutic approach for disease treatment.