Molecular targets for the management of gastrointestinal cancer using melatonin, a natural endogenous body hormone

Zeynab Kohandel, Tahereh Farkhondeh, Michael Aschner, Saeed Samarghandian

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

6 Scopus citations

Abstract

Gastrointestinal cancer is one of the most common cancers globally. Melatonin, a natural endogenous body hormone, has been of interest for years, due to its anti-cancer characteristics, such as antiproliferative, antimetastatic, and cytotoxic as well as apoptotic induction. Through regulating several proteins such as melatonin upregulated mRNAs and proteins of downregulated Bcl-2-associated X protein (Bax), and B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2), as well as cytoplasmic protein such as calcium-binding proteins calmodulin or tubulin, and nuclear receptors, including RORα/RZR, and acts by non-receptor-regulated mechanisms, melatonin can exert anti-cancer efficacy. Moreover, melatonin modulates angiogenesis by targeting mRNA and protein expression of endothelin-converting enzyme (ECE-1) protein. In the present review, we address in vivo, in vitro and clinical reports on its anti-cancer efficacies, and the molecular mechanisms of action responsible for these effects. We advance the possibility of therapeutic melatonin administration for cancer therapy.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article number111782
JournalBiomedicine and Pharmacotherapy
Volume140
DOIs
StatePublished - Aug 2021

Keywords

  • Anti-proliferative
  • Gastrointestinal cancer
  • Melatonin
  • Molecular target

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Pharmacology

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