Melatonin and Effects on The Immune System

Abstract

N-acetyl-5-methoxytryptamine (melatonin) which is a hormone synthesized primarily by the pineal gland and other tissues, affects a variety of biologic processes in organism with receptor dependent pathways and independent pathways. Both in vivo and and in vitro experiments show that the melatonin via its receptors, stimulates differentiation of immune cells and immune cell–target cell interactions. The influences of melatonin on immune system are generally associated with production of cytokines. In addition melatonin has powerful antioxidant and anti-apoptotic properties. The findings about the effects of melatonin on immune system are promising for therapy of immune system diseases. The present review attempts to summarize melatonin’s effects on immune system.