Natural Cryoprotective and Cytoprotective Agents in Cryopreservation: A Focus on Melatonin
Giada Marcantonini,
Desirée Bartolini,
Linda Zatini,
Stefania Costa,
Massimiliano Passerini,
Mario Rende,
Giovanni Luca,
Giuseppe Basta,
Giuseppe Murdolo,
Riccardo Calafiore,
Francesco Galli
Affiliations
Giada Marcantonini
Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Lipidomics and Micronutrient Vitamins Laboratory and Human Anatomy Laboratory, University of Perugia, 06126 Perugia, Italy
Desirée Bartolini
Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Lipidomics and Micronutrient Vitamins Laboratory and Human Anatomy Laboratory, University of Perugia, 06126 Perugia, Italy
Linda Zatini
Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Lipidomics and Micronutrient Vitamins Laboratory and Human Anatomy Laboratory, University of Perugia, 06126 Perugia, Italy
Stefania Costa
Angelantoni Life Science S.r.l., 06056 Massa Martana, Italy
Massimiliano Passerini
Angelantoni Life Science S.r.l., 06056 Massa Martana, Italy
Mario Rende
Department of Medicine and Surgery, Section of Human, Clinic and Forensic Anatomy, University of Perugia, 06132 Perugia, Italy
Giovanni Luca
Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Perugia, 06132 Perugia, Italy
Giuseppe Basta
Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Perugia, 06132 Perugia, Italy
Giuseppe Murdolo
Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Perugia, 06132 Perugia, Italy
Riccardo Calafiore
Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Perugia, 06132 Perugia, Italy
Francesco Galli
Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Lipidomics and Micronutrient Vitamins Laboratory and Human Anatomy Laboratory, University of Perugia, 06126 Perugia, Italy
Cryoprotective and cytoprotective agents (Cytoprotective Agents) are fundamental components of the cryopreservation process. This review presents the essentials of the cryopreservation process by examining its drawbacks and the role of cytoprotective agents in protecting cell physiology. Natural cryoprotective and cytoprotective agents, such as antifreeze proteins, sugars and natural deep eutectic systems, have been compared with synthetic ones, addressing their mechanisms of action and efficacy of protection. The final part of this article focuses melatonin, a hormonal substance with antioxidant properties, and its emerging role as a cytoprotective agent for somatic cells and gametes, including ovarian tissue, spermatozoa and spermatogonial stem cells.
