Research
Micronutrients & recovery
Melatonin acts as a potent antioxidant and anti-apoptotic agent, scavenging free radicals and up-regulating antioxidant enzymes, which may slow the progression of neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.
Melatonin's antioxidant properties may help protect brain cells in neurodegenerative diseases, but current human evidence primarily supports its use for improving sleep and circadian rhythms in these patients, not necessarily curing the disease itself.
ModerateSupportsMEDIUM confidence
Melatonin is an effective antioxidant which scavenges free radicals and up-regulates several antioxidant enzymes. It also has a strong anti-apoptotic signaling function... Melatonin’s cytoprotective properties have practical implications in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases.
Why this rating
Strong in vitro and animal model evidence; human data shows symptomatic improvement (sleep/circadian) but disease modification is still under investigation.
Source
Melatonin
Seithikurippu R. Pandi‐Perumal et al. · FEBS Journal · 2006
narrative_reviewCited 865×
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