Although not licensed as a drug, melatonin, the principal substance secreted by the pineal gland, is marketed sold as a nutritional supplement in the USA for its purported sleep-promoting and antiaging properties. There is now evidence that melatonin may have a role in the biologic regulation of circadian rhythm, sleep, mood, and perhaps reproduction, tumor growth, and aging. However, uncertainities and doubts still surround the role of melatonin in human physiology ana pathophysiology. The purpose of this review is to summarize the current knowledge about melatonin and its clinical implications.
Key words: Melatonin, pineal gland, human.
|
