ABSTRACT
Melatonin (Mel), N-acetyl-5-methoxytryptamine, is an endogenous chronobiotic and neurohormone produced mainly by the pineal gland, which may have an important role in the regulation of various neuroendocrine functions, including circadian rhythm, mood regulation, and sleep, in addition to its effects on antimitotic activity, immunological functioning, antioxidant effect, vasoregulation, and pain modulation (Figure 33.1) (Brzezinski et al. 2005, Dominguez-Rodriguez et al. 2010, Doolen et al. 1998, Lewy et al. 2006, Maestroni 2001, Pandi-Perumal et al. 2008, Reiter et al. 2009, Srinivasan et al. 2008). Analgesic effects of Mel have been shown in both experimental and clinical studies (Citera et al. 2000, Lu et al. 2005, Naguib et al. 2003b, Pang et al. 2001, Press et al. 1998, Tu et al. 2004, Ulugol et al. 2006, Yousaf et al. 2010).
