Melatonin as a Potential Adjuvant Treatment for COVID-19 beyond Sleep Disorders.
Adam WichniakAleksander KaniaMariusz SiemińskiWiesław Jerzy CubałaPublished in: International journal of molecular sciences (2021)
Melatonin is registered to treat circadian rhythm sleep-wake disorders and insomnia in patients aged 55 years and over. The essential role of the circadian sleep rhythm in the deterioration of sleep quality during COVID-19 confinement and the lack of an adverse effect of melatonin on respiratory drive indicate that melatonin has the potential to be a recommended treatment for sleep disturbances related to COVID-19. This review article describes the effects of melatonin additional to its sleep-related effects, which make this drug an attractive therapeutic option for treating patients with COVID-19. The preclinical data suggest that melatonin may inhibit COVID-19 progression. It may lower the risk of the entrance of the SARS-CoV-2 virus into cells, reduce uncontrolled hyper-inflammation and the activation of immune cells, limit the damage of tissues and multiorgan failure due to the action of free radicals, and reduce ventilator-induced lung injury and the risk of disability resulting from fibrotic changes within the lungs. Melatonin may also increase the efficacy of COVID-19 vaccination. The high safety profile of melatonin and its potential anti-SARS-CoV-2 effects make this molecule a preferable drug for treating sleep disturbances in COVID-19 patients. However, randomized clinical trials are needed to verify the clinical usefulness of melatonin in the treatment of COVID-19.
Keyphrases
- sars cov
- sleep quality
- coronavirus disease
- respiratory syndrome coronavirus
- physical activity
- depressive symptoms
- oxidative stress
- atrial fibrillation
- clinical trial
- ejection fraction
- adverse drug
- newly diagnosed
- chronic kidney disease
- deep learning
- cell proliferation
- stem cells
- systemic sclerosis
- intensive care unit
- artificial intelligence
- drug induced
- cell death
- idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis
- big data
- pi k akt
- cell cycle arrest
- combination therapy
- acute respiratory distress syndrome
- mechanical ventilation
- patient reported
- respiratory tract