Role of melatonin in rheumatoid arthritis: a narrative review

Melatonin, also known as methoxytryptamine-۵-acetyl-N, is the main hormone secreted by the pineal gland. It shows that exogenous melatonin as a supplement can help improve sleep quality and act as an anti-inflammatory factor. Melatonin, in multiple ways, controls the immune system, including regulating inflammatory pathways, apoptosis signaling pathways, and regulating the circadian clock. CD۴+ T helper (Th۱), Th۱۷, and regulatory T cells, which are the important cells in the immune system, are affected by melatonin. Studies did not demonstrate serious complications following the consumption of melatonin. Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease that causes a chronic inflammatory situation. RA is a systematic disease that affects multi-organ. The characteristic feature of RA is targeting symmetrically small joints. RA has an unknown etiology, and numerous immune cells, cytokines, interleukins, and inflammatory factors participate in the etiology of RA. In addition, oxidative stress and the relation of oxidative stress with clinical presentation and RA disease activity. Due to the following information, melatonin might be a possible supplementary treatment for RA. Some studies demonstrated that melatonin supplements have advantages in some autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. Studies suggest pro-inflammatory factors reduction and increase in anti-inflammatory agents with melatonin supplementation, while other studies have reported no considerable effects, and the results are controversial. Some clinical studies evaluate the impact of melatonin on RA disease clinical signs and symptoms, but they did not report any clinical improvements. Considering the lack of a definite conclusion due to the limited available evidence, future studies are suggested.

کلیدواژه ها:

Melatonin ، Rheumatoid arthritis ، rheumatic diseases ، sleep