褪黑激素（Melatonin）是一种多效神经激素，存在于不同的动物、植物和微生物物种中。它是色素腺中色氨酸代谢产物，在将昼夜节律同步的同时，也被广泛认识为在不同类型的癌症中发挥抗肿瘤功能的物质。褪黑激素的免疫调节、抗氧化和细胞保护效应的分子机制涉及高亲和力的G蛋白偶联受体结合和与细胞内靶标的相互作用，从而调节信号转导途径。体外和体内研究报告了褪黑激素在不同传染性和寄生性疾病中的治疗潜力。本综述将讨论褪黑激素在对抗原生动物和蠕虫感染中的保护和病理生理作用以及可能涉及的机制。版权所有 © 2023. Elsevier B.V.出版。

Melatonin is a pleiotropic neurohormone found in different animal, plant, and microorganism species. It is a product resulting from tryptophan metabolism in the pineal gland and is widely known for its ability to synchronize the circadian rhythm to antitumor functions in different types of cancers. The molecular mechanisms responsible for its immunomodulatory, antioxidant and cytoprotective effects involve binding to high-affinity G protein-coupled receptors and interactions with intracellular targets that modulate signal transduction pathways. In vitro and in vivo studies have reported the therapeutic potential of melatonin in different infectious and parasitic diseases. In this review, the protective and pathophysiological roles of melatonin in fighting protozoan and helminth infections and the possible mechanisms involved against these stressors will be discussed.Copyright © 2023. Published by Elsevier B.V.