ReviewMolecules (Basel, Switzerland)2018
Mitochondria: Central Organelles for Melatonin's Antioxidant and Anti-Aging Actions.
Review in Molecules (Basel, Switzerland), 2018. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 176 papers, 6 of them syntheses that pooled it.
What it found
Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.
The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
176 citing papers in PubMed, 6 syntheses or guidelines pooled it, 382 citations in OpenAlex.
- Melatonin as a Novel Drug to Improve Cardiac Function and Quality of Life in Heart Failure Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.Clinical cardiology · 2025Pooled it
- A Clinical, Pharmacological, and Formulation Evaluation of Melatonin in the Treatment of Ocular Disorders-A Systematic Review.International journal of molecular sciences · 2024Pooled it
- Bipolar disorder and the gut microbiota: a bibliometric analysis.Frontiers in neuroscience · 2024Pooled it
- Melatonin improves fertilization rate in assisted reproduction: Systematic review and meta-analysis.Clinics (Sao Paulo, Brazil) · 2024Pooled it
- Protective effects of melatonin against physical injuries to testicular tissue: A systematic review and meta-analysis of animal models.Frontiers in endocrinology · 2023Pooled it
- Effect of melatonin on otoprotection in rodents: a systematic review with meta-analysis.Brazilian journal of otorhinolaryngologyPooled it
- Randomized placebo-controlled phase II trial of high-dose melatonin mucoadhesive oral gel for the prevention and treatment of oral mucositis in patients with head and neck cancer undergoing radiation therapy concurrent with systemic treatment.Clinical & translational oncology : official publication of the Federation of Spanish Oncology Societies and of the National Cancer Institute of Mexico · 2021Trial
- The value of melatonin supplementation in postmenopausal women with Helicobacter pylori-associated dyspepsia.BMC women's health · 2020Trial
- Serum melatonin levels and their relationship with inflammation and oxidative stress in patients with diabetic nephropathy: a cross-sectional case-control study.BMC endocrine disorders · 2026Article
- Article
- Review
- Bioinspired Artificial Bioenergetic Organelles: Design Principles, Nanofabrication and Therapeutic Translation.Advanced materials (Deerfield Beach, Fla.) · 2026Review
- The Molecular and Cellular Mechanisms of Melatonin: From Physiological Actions to Clinical Applications in Reproductive Medicine.International journal of molecular sciences · 2026Review
- Can Disruption of Circadian Rhythms Be Linked to Radiation-Induced Acute Myeloid Leukaemia?Cancers · 2026Review
- Stage-dependent DNA damage and mitochondrial dysfunction under simulated microgravity constrain oocyte maturation and are mitigated by melatonin.Cell communication and signaling : CCS · 2026Article
- Nutrition, Cell Signalling, Mitochondrial Function, and Chronic Non-Communicable Disease.International journal of molecular sciences · 2026Review
- Morphofunctional State of the Liver Under Conditions of Three-Month Dark Deprivation: The Influence of Circadian Disruptions and Melatonin.International journal of molecular sciences · 2026Article
- Mitochondria and Aging: Redox Balance Modulation as a New Approach to the Development of Innovative Geroprotectors (Fundamental and Applied Aspects).International journal of molecular sciences · 2026Review
- Melatonin Supplementation in Alzheimer's disease: The Potential Role in Neurogenesis.Molecular neurobiology · 2025Review
- Melatonin: a potential target for regulating ovarian function.Archives of gynecology and obstetrics · 2025Review
116 more citing papers are in PubMed but not listed here.
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
6 authors at 3 institutions in 2 countries.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
Melatonin, along with its metabolites, have long been known to significantly reduce the oxidative stress burden of aging cells or cells exposed to toxins. Oxidative damage is a result of free radicals produced in cells, especially in mitochondria. When measured, melatonin, a potent antioxidant, was found to be in higher concentrations in mitochondria than in other organelles or subcellular locations. Recent evidence indicates that mitochondrial membranes possess transporters that aid in the rapid uptake of melatonin by these organelles against a gradient. Moreover, we predicted several years ago that, because of their origin from melatonin-producing bacteria, mitochondria likely also synthesize melatonin. Data accumulated within the last year supports this prediction. A high content of melatonin in mitochondria would be fortuitous, since these organelles produce an abundance of free radicals. Thus, melatonin is optimally positioned to scavenge the radicals and reduce the degree of oxidative damage. In light of the "free radical theory of aging", including all of its iterations, high melatonin levels in mitochondria would be expected to protect against age-related organismal decline. Also, there are many age-associated diseases that have, as a contributing factor, free radical damage. These multiple diseases may likely be deferred in their onset or progression if mitochondrial levels of melatonin can be maintained into advanced age.
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Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.