Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Experiment Videos

Melatonin: a master hormone and a candidate for universal panacea

V Kumar1

  • 1Department of Zoology, University of Lucknow, India.

Indian Journal of Experimental Biology
|May 1, 1996
PubMed
Summary

Melatonin, a conserved molecule found across diverse organisms, acts as an antioxidant and regulates circadian rhythms. Its widespread presence and physiological roles highlight its potential as a universal therapeutic agent.

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Activation of B lymphocytes by NK cells.

International immunology·1992
Same author

Cardiac amyloidosis: hemodynamic, echocardiographic and endomyocardial biopsy studies.

Indian heart journal·1992
Same author

Serologic markers of gluten-sensitive enteropathy in bullous diseases.

Archives of dermatology·1992
Same author

Circadian nature of the photoperiodic clock in Japanese quail.

Journal of comparative physiology. A, Sensory, neural, and behavioral physiology·1992
Same author

Metal-metal interaction inhibits the NADP(+)-specific isocitrate dehydrogenase activity in rat brain.

Biochemical Society transactions·1992
Same author

Hematologic relapse of chronic myelogenous leukemia following allogeneic bone marrow transplantation: apparent graft-versus-leukemia effect following abrupt discontinuation of immunosuppression.

Bone marrow transplantation·1992

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Chronobiology
  • Evolutionary Biology

Background:

  • Melatonin is an evolutionarily conserved molecule present in nearly all life forms, from plants to humans.
  • Its lipophilic nature facilitates crossing biological barriers, and it functions as a potent antioxidant and free radical scavenger.
  • While the pineal gland is a major melatonin source in vertebrates, other organs contribute, and invertebrates utilize alternative sources.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore the evolutionary conservation and widespread physiological roles of melatonin.
  • To elucidate the mechanisms of melatonin synthesis, secretion, and its regulation by circadian pacemakers.
  • To highlight the emerging therapeutic potential of melatonin in various health conditions.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing scientific literature on melatonin's presence, synthesis, and function across diverse organisms.
  • Analysis of melatonin's role in circadian rhythm regulation and adaptation to environmental light-dark cycles.
  • Examination of evidence supporting melatonin's therapeutic applications.

Main Results:

  • Melatonin's presence is conserved across kingdoms, suggesting fundamental biological importance.
  • The biosynthetic pathway is consistent, with secretion occurring nocturnally and regulated by the suprachiasmatic nuclei (SCN) and light cycles.
  • Melatonin synchronizes circadian rhythms and influences daily/seasonal physiological and behavioral changes.

Conclusions:

  • Melatonin is a vital molecule with conserved functions, including antioxidant activity and circadian rhythm regulation.
  • Its endogenous rhythm is controlled by the SCN, synchronized by light-dark cycles.
  • Melatonin shows significant therapeutic promise for sleep disorders, jet lag, and immune function, warranting further investigation.

Related Experiment Videos