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Melatonin for gastric cancer treatment: where do we stand?

Naunyn-Schmiedeberg's archives of pharmacology
February 1, 2025
Mahdi Rafiyan et al. (9 authors)
Journal ArticleReviewHuman StudyMolecular Study
Study Details

Study Goal

The researchers aimed to evaluate the molecular mechanisms by which melatonin inhibits gastric cancer (GC) progression, focusing on its effects on proliferation, chemo-resistance, apoptosis, invasion, angiogenesis, and metastasis.

Results Summary

Melatonin was found to suppress GC progression by regulating exosomal miRNAs and inhibiting cancer cell proliferation, reducing chemo-resistance, inducing apoptosis, and limiting invasion, angiogenesis, and metastasis. The study highlights melatonin's potential as a therapeutic agent for GC.

Population

In vitro and in vivo studies (specific human or animal populations not detailed in the abstract).

Effective Dosage

Not specified

Duration

Not specified

Interactions

None mentioned

Extracted Claims (7)
InterventionDirectionEndpointPopulationDosageImpactClaim #
melatonin
decrease
proliferation, progression and invasion of GC cells
GC cells
-
inhibitory function
#1
melatonin
decrease
progression of GC
-
-
can suppress
#2
melatonin
decrease
cancer cell proliferation
cancer cells
-
may inhibit
#3
melatonin
decrease
chemo-resistance
-
-
decrease
#4
melatonin
increase
apoptosis
-
-
induce
#5
melatonin
decrease
invasion, angiogenesis, and metastasis
-
-
limit
#6
melatonin
decrease
GC enlargement
-
-
controls
#7
Abstract

Gastric cancer (GC) is the third leading reason of death in men and the fourth in women. Studies have documented an inhibitory function of melatonin on the proliferation, progression and invasion of GC cells. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small, non-coding RNAs that play an important function in regulation of biological processes and gene expression of the cells. Some studies reported that melatonin can suppress the progression of GC by regulating the exosomal miRNAs. Thus, melatonin represents a promising potential therapeutic agent for subjects with GC. Herein, we evaluate the existing data of both in vivo and in vitro studies to clarify the molecular processes involved in the therapeutic effects of melatonin in GC. The data emphasize the critical function of melatonin in several signaling ways by which it may inhibit cancer cell proliferation, decrease chemo-resistance, induce apoptosis as well as limit invasion, angiogenesis, and metastasis. This review provides a resource that identifies some of the mechanisms by which melatonin controls GC enlargement. In light of the findings, melatonin should be considered a novel and testable therapeutic mediator for GC treatment.

Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)
HumansMelatoninStomach NeoplasmsAnimalsAntineoplastic AgentsMicroRNAsCell ProliferationApoptosis
Study Links
Quality Scores
SafetyNot Assessed
Efficacy85/10
Quality75/10
Research Impact Scores
APT Score0.05
Weight Score1.25
Normalized Score0.69
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Melatonin for gastric cancer treatment: where do we stand? | Panacea Index