Differential Effects of Melatonin as a Broad Range UV-Damage Preventive Dermato-Endocrine Regulator

The document discusses the multifunctional role of melatonin, a hormone derived from tryptophan, in skin health and its protective effects against UV-induced damage. Melatonin, which is produced by the pineal gland, is involved in regulating biorhythms, reproductive functions, and mammary gland metabolism. It also has a range of other functions including free radical scavenging, immunomodulation, DNA repair, wound healing, and influencing gene expression related to circadian rhythms. Importantly, recent findings have shown that melatonin can suppress UV-induced damage in human skin and skin cell lines, such as keratinocytes and fibroblasts. This protective effect is due to melatonin's ability to modulate molecular mechanisms that are involved in the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), apoptosis, and mitochondrial-mediated cell death, all of which contribute to UV-induced skin damage.