Melatonin in Dermatologic Allergic Diseases and Other Skin Conditions: Current Trends and Reports

Scientific paper - Review paper

• Author: Iva Bešlić
• Author: Liborija Lugović-Mihić; MBZ: 215056
• Author: Alen Vrtarić
• Author: Ante Bešlić
• Author: Ivana Škrinjar
• Author: Milena Hanžek
• Author: Danijel Crnković
• Author: Marinko Artuković
• Author's institution: University North
• Author's institution: (Sestre milosrdnice University Hospital Center)
• Author's institution: (Zagreb University Hispital Center)
• Author's institution: University of Zagreb; School of Dental Medicine
• Scientific / art field, discipline and subdiscipline: BIOMEDICINE AND HEALTHCARE; Clinical Medical Sciences

Abstract (english)

Melatonin is the main hormone that regulates the sleep cycle, and it is mostly produced by the pineal gland from the amino acid tryptophan. It has cytoprotective, immunomodulatory, and anti-apoptotic effects. Melatonin is also one of the most powerful natural antioxidants, directly acting on free radicals and the intracellular antioxidant enzyme system. Furthermore, it participates in antitumor activity, hypopigmentation processes in hyperpigmentary disorders, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulating activity in inflammatory dermatoses, maintaining the integrity of the epidermal barrier and thermoregulation of the body. Due predominantly to its positive influence on sleep, melatonin can be used in the treatment of sleep disturbances for those with chronic allergic diseases accompanied by intensive itching (such as atopic dermatitis and chronic spontaneous urticaria). According to the literature data, there are also many proven uses for melatonin in photoprotection and skin aging (due to melatonin’s antioxidant effects and role in preventing damage due to DNA repair mechanisms), hyperpigmentary disorders (e.g., melasma) and scalp diseases (such as androgenic alopecia and telogen effluvium).

• Keywords (english): melatonin; atopic dermatitis; urticaria; melasma; rosacea; androgenic alopecia; photoprotection; skin aging; sleep disorders; allergy; allergic rhinitis
• Language: english
• Publication type: Scientific paper - Review paper
• Publication status: Published
• Peer review: Peer review - international
• Publication version: Published version
• Journal title: International Journal of Molecular Sciences
• Numbering: vol. 24, no. 4, 4039
• e-ISSN: 1422-0067
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms24044039
• URN:NBN: urn:nbn:hr:127:068587
• Publication: 2023-02-17
• Document URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/24/4/4039
• Type of resource: Text
• Access conditions: Open access
• Created on: 2023-05-11 09:36:57