Melatonin (Melatonine) is a biogenic amine that is found in animals and plants. In mammals, melatonin is produced by the PINEAL GLAND. Its secretion increases in darkness and decreases during exposure to light. Melatonin is implicated in the regulation of SLEEP, mood, and REPRODUCTION. Melatonin is also an effective antioxidant.

Melatonin modulates various signaling pathways by increasing the levels of activated PTEN, RSK-1, mTOR, and AMPKα kinases, while mildly reducing ERK-1/2 and Bad phosphorylation. It significantly decreases the phosphorylation of S6 Ribosomal Protein, 4E-BP1, GSK-3α, and GSK-3β, and marginally enhances PRAS40 phosphorylation in animals. Moreover, melatonin mitigates neurotoxicity and astrocyte activation caused by Aβ1-42 in the cerebral cortex and prevents the suppression of Reelin and Dab1 expression triggered by Aβ1-42. Comparable effects to melatonin treatment are observed in the absence of NLRP3-/-, including similar reductions in NF-κB and NLRP3 signaling pathways and akin alterations in clock genes expression, alongside improvements in cardiomyocytes morphology in mice.