Table 1.
A selection of recognized melatonin functions
| Melatonin functions: Examples | References |
|---|---|
| Aerobic glycolysis inhibition (glycolytic) | 202 |
| Anti-aging | 11,114,203 |
| Anti-inflammatory | 204-206 |
| Anti-melanoma: anti-proliferative and anti-invasive effects | 21,23,207,208 |
| Anti-neoplastic: anti-proliferative and cell cycle arrest | 209 |
| Antioxidant | 190,210 |
| Blood pressure regulation | 211 |
| Body mass regulation | 212 |
| Bone mass regulation | 213,214 |
| Cardioprotection | 211,215 |
| Circadian rhythm regulation | 3,6 |
| DNA repair | 15 |
| Dopaminergic neuron development in the substantia nigra | 216 |
| Estrogen receptor regulation | 49 |
| Gastrointestinal tract protection | 214 |
| Immune cell proliferation and cytokine release | 18,19 |
| Inner ear protection | 217 |
| Insulin secretion regulation | 218 |
| Liver disease protection | 219 |
| Mitochondrial function and biogenesis | 220 |
| Nephroprotection | 221 |
| Neuroprotection | 222 |
| Retina protection | 223,224 |
| Reproduction and sexual maturation regulation | 225,226 |
| Sensitization of cancers to radiation and chemotherapy | 227-231 |
| UV protection | 98,145,185,190,232,233 |
| Wound healing | 234 |