Comprehensive review of melatonin as a promising nutritional and nutraceutical supplement
Waad W. Kamfar,
Husam M. Khraiwesh,
Mohammed O. Ibrahim,
Alaa H. Qadhi,
Wedad F. Azhar,
Khloud J. Ghafouri,
Maha H. Alhussain,
Abdullah F. Aldairi,
Abdullah M. AlShahrani,
Abdullah F. Alghannam,
Rwaa H. Abdulal,
Abed H. Al-Slaihat,
Maysoun S. Qutob,
Mahmoud E. Elrggal,
Mazen M. Ghaith,
Firas S. Azzeh
Affiliations
Waad W. Kamfar
Department of Clinical Nutrition, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, UmmAl-Qura University, P.O. Box: 7067, Makkah, Saudi Arabia; Medical Nutrition and Food Services Department, Almana Hospitals, Aziziah, Dammam, Saudi Arabia
Husam M. Khraiwesh
Department of Nutrition and Food Processing, Faculty of Agricultural Technology, Al-Balqa’ Applied University, Salt, Jordan
Mohammed O. Ibrahim
Department of Nutrition and Food Technology, Faculty of Agriculture, Mu'tah University, Karak, Jordan
Alaa H. Qadhi
Department of Clinical Nutrition, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, UmmAl-Qura University, P.O. Box: 7067, Makkah, Saudi Arabia
Wedad F. Azhar
Department of Clinical Nutrition, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, UmmAl-Qura University, P.O. Box: 7067, Makkah, Saudi Arabia
Khloud J. Ghafouri
Department of Clinical Nutrition, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, UmmAl-Qura University, P.O. Box: 7067, Makkah, Saudi Arabia
Maha H. Alhussain
Department of Food Science and Nutrition, College of Food and Agriculture Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh, 11451, Saudi Arabia
Abdullah F. Aldairi
Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, Umm Al-Qura University, Al Abdeyah, Makkah, 7607, Saudi Arabia
Abdullah M. AlShahrani
Department of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Khamis Mushayt, King Khalid University, Abha, 62561, Saudi Arabia
Abdullah F. Alghannam
Lifestyle and Health Research Center, Health Sciences Research Center, Princess Nourah Bint Abdulrahman University, Riyadh, 84428, Saudi Arabia
Rwaa H. Abdulal
Vaccines and Immunotherapy Unit, King Fahd Medical Research Center, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, 21589, Saudi Arabia; Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, 21589, Saudi Arabia
Abed H. Al-Slaihat
Department of Nutrition and Food Technology, School of Agriculture, The University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan
Maysoun S. Qutob
Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics Department, Faculty of Allied Medical Sciences, Applied Science Private University, Amman, Jordan
Mahmoud E. Elrggal
College of Pharmacy, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah, Saudi Arabia
Mazen M. Ghaith
Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, Umm Al-Qura University, Al Abdeyah, Makkah, 7607, Saudi Arabia
Firas S. Azzeh
Department of Clinical Nutrition, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, UmmAl-Qura University, P.O. Box: 7067, Makkah, Saudi Arabia; Corresponding author. Department of Clinical Nutrition, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, Umm Al-Qura University, P.O. Box: 7067, Makkah, 21955, Saudi Arabia.
Background: Melatonin is an indoleamine hormone secreted by the pineal gland at night and has an essential role in regulating human circadian rhythms (the internal 24-h clock) and sleep-wake patterns. However, it has recently gained considerable attention for its demonstrated ability in disease management. This review discusses the major biological activities of melatonin, its metabolites as nutritional supplements, and its bioavailability in food sources. Methods: The information acquisition process involved conducting a comprehensive search across academic databases including PubMed, Scopus, Wiley, Embase, and Springer using relevant keywords. Only the most recent, peer-reviewed articles published in the English language were considered for inclusion. Results: The molecular mechanisms by which melatonin induces its therapeutic effects have been the subject of various studies. Conclusion: While melatonin was initially understood to only regulate circadian rhythms, recent studies indicate that it has a far-reaching effect on various organs and physiological systems, such as immunity, cardiovascular function, antioxidant defense, and lipid hemostasis. As a potent antioxidant, anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, and immunoregulatory agent, multiple therapeutic applications have been proposed for melatonin.
