Abstract
Melatonin has been recognized for its therapeutic potential as a chronobiotic cytoprotective drug to combat the effects of COVID-19 infection. Melatonin may be unique in mitigating the symptoms of SARS-CoV-2 infection due to its wide-ranging actions as an antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory chemical. Furthermore, melatonin is an efficient chronobiotic drug in treating delirium and reversing the circadian disturbance caused by social isolation. Melatonin is a cytoprotector that helps to treat various comorbidities, including diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and ischemic and nonischemic cardiovascular disease, all of which increase COVID-19 illness. As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, it has become known that clinical sequelae and symptoms for a considerable number of patients may linger for weeks to months beyond the acute stage of SARS-CoV-2 infection (long COVID). Based on indications of neurological sequelae in COVID-19-infected individuals, there is another possible use of melatonin based on its documented neuroprotective properties. Melatonin is an excellent agent for controlling cognitive deterioration (brain fog) and pain in myalgic encephalomyelitis (i.e., chronic fatigue syndrome); therefore, its therapeutic importance for the neurological consequences of SARS-CoV-2 infection should be investigated.
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Our research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors. D.P.C. is an Emeritus Superior Investigator from Argentine National Research Council and Emeritus Professor, University of Buenos Aires. G.M.B. is an Emeritus Professor, University of Toronto.
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S.R.P. is a stockholder and the President and Chief Executive Officer of Somnogen Canada Inc., a Canadian Corporation. He declares that he has no competing interests that might be perceived to influence the content of this chapter. This does not alter the authors’ adherence to all the journal policies. All remaining authors declare that they have no proprietary, financial, professional, nor any other personal interest of any nature or kind in any product or services and/or company that could be construed or considered to be a potential conflict of interest that might have influenced the views expressed in this manuscript.
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Cardinali, D.P., Brown, G.M., Pandi-Perumal, S.R. (2023). Melatonin’s Benefits as a Treatment for COVID-19 Pandemic and Long COVID. In: BaHammam, A., Pandi-Perumal, S.R., Jahrami, H. (eds) COVID-19 and Sleep: A Global Outlook. Progress in Sleep Research. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-99-0240-8_24
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