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Review
. 2013 Oct 3:39:61.
doi: 10.1186/1824-7288-39-61.

Melatonin: its possible role in the management of viral infections--a brief review

Michela Silvestri  1 , Giovanni A Rossi
Affiliations
Review

Melatonin: its possible role in the management of viral infections--a brief review

Michela Silvestri et al. Ital J Pediatr. .

Abstract

Melatonin, a versatile molecule, is synthesized by the pineal gland but also by other organs, including gastrointestinal tract, retina, thymus, bone marrow, and by leukocytes. Besides playing an important role in various functions of the body, including sleep and circadian rhythm regulation, melatonin also shows immunoregulatory, free radical scavenger and antioxidant functions. Because of these latter characteristics melatonin has also been found to be effective in fighting viral infections in a variety of experimental animal and in vitro studies. These data suggest a possible therapeutic potential of melatonin in human virus-induced disorders.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Main melatonin functions.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Melatonin in experimental Respiratory Syncytial Virus infection.
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