Transdermal administration of melatonin coupled to cryopass laser treatment as noninvasive therapy for prostate cancer

Interleukin-18 in chronic pain: Focus on pathogenic mechanisms and potential therapeutic targets

Chronic pain has been proven to be an independent disease, other than an accompanying symptom of certain diseases. Interleukin-18 (IL-18), a pro-inflammatory cytokine with pleiotropic biological effects, participates in immune modulation, inflammatory response, tumor growth, as well as the process of chronic pain. Compelling evidence suggests that IL-18 is upregulated in the occurrence of chronic pain. Antagonism or inhibition of IL-18 expression can alleviate the occurrence and development of chronic pain. And IL-18 is located in microglia, while IL-18R is mostly located in astrocytes in the spinal cord. This indicates that the interaction between microglia and astrocytes mediated by the IL-18/IL-18R axis is involved in the occurrence of chronic pain. In this review, we described the role and mechanism of IL-18 in different types of chronic pain. This review provides strong evidence that IL-18 is a potential therapeutic target in pain management.

Melatonin Modulates the SIRT1-Related Pathways via Transdermal Cryopass-Laser Administration in Prostate Tumor Xenograft

Melatonin displays antitumor activity in several types of malignancies; however, the best delivery route and the underlying mechanisms are still unclear. Alternative non-invasive delivery route based on transdermal administration of melatonin by cryopass-laser treatment demonstrated efficiency in reducing the progression of LNCaP prostate tumor cells xenografted into nude mice by impairing the biochemical pathways affecting redox balance. Here, we investigated the impact of transdermal melatonin on the tumor dimension, microenvironment structure, and SIRT1-modulated pathways. Two groups (vehicle cryopass-laser and melatonin cryopass-laser) were treated for 6 weeks (3 treatments per week), and the tumors collected were analyzed for hematoxylin eosin staining, sirius red, and SIRT1 modulated proteins such as PGC-1α, PPARγ, and NFkB. Melatonin in addition to simple laser treatment was able to boost the antitumor cancer activity impairing the tumor microenvironment, increasing the collagen structure around the tumor, and modulating the altered SIRT1 pathways. Transdermal application is effective, safe, and feasible in humans as well, and the significance of these findings necessitates further studies on the antitumor mechanisms exerted by melatonin.

Role of Natural and Synthetic Compounds in Modulating NRF2/KEAP1 Signaling Pathway in Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer in men worldwide. Prostate cancer can be treated by surgery or active surveillance when early diagnosed but, when diagnosed at an advanced or metastatic stage, radiation therapy or androgen-deprivation therapy is needed to reduce cancer progression. However, both of these therapies can cause prostate cancer resistance to treatment. Several studies demonstrated that oxidative stress is involved in cancer occurrence, development, progression and treatment resistance. The nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2)/KEAP1 (Kelch-Like ECH-Associated Protein 1) pathway plays an important role in protecting cells against oxidative damage. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels and NRF2 activation can determine cell fate. In particular, toxic levels of ROS lead physiological cell death and cell tumor suppression, while lower ROS levels are associated with carcinogenesis and cancer progression. On the contrary, a high level of NRF2 promotes cell survival related to cancer progression activating an adaptive antioxidant response. In this review, we analyzed the current literature regarding the role of natural and synthetic compounds in modulating NRF2/KEAP1 signaling pathway in prostate cancer.

Application and Efficacy of Melatonin Elastic Liposomes in Photoaging Mice

Transdermal drug delivery system is a preferable choice to overcome the low bioavailability of oral medication. Elastic liposomes have shown great effectiveness for percutaneous transport of melatonin (MLT). In this study, the elastic liposomes loaded with MLT were prepared using thin-film dispersion method and optimized through the central composite design (CCD) approach. The physicochemical properties and skin permeation against UV-induced skin photoaging efficacy of the developed MLT-ELs were assessed. The average size of the MLT-ELs was about 49 nm with a spherical shape and high encapsulation efficiency (73.91%) and drug loading (9.92%). The results of FTIR, DSC, and XRD revealed that the chemical structure of MLT was not changed after prepared elastic liposomes, and the drug was successfully encapsulated in the elastic liposome membrane material. In vitro skin permeation evaluation showed that the cumulative penetration of elastic liposomes was 1.5 times higher than that of conventional liposomes, highlighting that the elastic liposomes more easily penetrated into the body. The photoaging experiment results indicated that topical MLT-EL treatment ameliorated the skin elasticity, enhanced the skin hydration level, and preserved the integrity of dermal collagen and elastic fibers. It could be concluded that the elastic liposomes might serve as a promising platform for the transdermal delivery of melatonin.

Melatonin in Cancer Treatment: Current Knowledge and Future Opportunities

Melatonin is a pleotropic molecule with numerous biological activities. Epidemiological and experimental studies have documented that melatonin could inhibit different types of cancer in vitro and in vivo. Results showed the involvement of melatonin in different anticancer mechanisms including apoptosis induction, cell proliferation inhibition, reduction in tumor growth and metastases, reduction in the side effects associated with chemotherapy and radiotherapy, decreasing drug resistance in cancer therapy, and augmentation of the therapeutic effects of conventional anticancer therapies. Clinical trials revealed that melatonin is an effective adjuvant drug to all conventional therapies. This review summarized melatonin biosynthesis, availability from natural sources, metabolism, bioavailability, anticancer mechanisms of melatonin, its use in clinical trials, and pharmaceutical formulation. Studies discussed in this review will provide a solid foundation for researchers and physicians to design and develop new therapies to treat and prevent cancer using melatonin.

The inhibitory effect of melatonin on human prostate cancer

Prostate cancer (PCa) is one of the most commonly diagnosed human cancers in males. Nearly 191,930 new cases and 33,330 new deaths of PCa are estimated in 2020. Androgen and androgen receptor pathways played essential roles in the pathogenesis of PCa. Androgen depletion therapy is the most used therapies for primary PCa patients. However, due to the high relapse and mortality of PCa, developing novel noninvasive therapies have become the focus of research. Melatonin is an indole-like neurohormone mainly produced in the human pineal gland with a prominent anti-oxidant property. The anti-tumor ability of melatonin has been substantially confirmed and several related articles have also reported the inhibitory effect of melatonin on PCa, while reviews of this inhibitory effect of melatonin on PCa in recent 10 years are absent. Therefore, we systematically discuss the relationship between melatonin disruption and the risk of PCa, the mechanism of how melatonin inhibited PCa, and the synergistic benefits of melatonin and other drugs to summarize current understandings about the function of melatonin in suppressing human prostate cancer. We also raise several unsolved issues that need to be resolved to translate currently non-clinical trials of melatonin for clinic use. We hope this literature review could provide a solid theoretical basis for the future utilization of melatonin in preventing, diagnosing and treating human prostate cancer.

Melatonin and urological cancers: a new therapeutic approach

Urological cancers are responsible for thousands of cancer-related deaths around the world. Despite all developments in therapeutic approaches for cancer therapy, the absence of efficient treatments is a critical and vital problematic issue for physicians and researchers. Furthermore, routine medical therapies contribute to several undesirable adverse events for patients, reducing life quality and survival time. Therefore, many attempts are needed to explore potent alternative or complementary treatments for great outcomes. Melatonin has multiple beneficial potential effects, including anticancer properties. Melatonin in combination with chemoradiation therapy or even alone could suppress urological cancers through affecting essential cellular pathways. This review discusses current evidence reporting the beneficial effect of melatonin in urological malignancies, including prostate cancer, bladder cancer, and renal cancer.

MicroRNA-92b-5p modulates melatonin-mediated osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells by targeting ICAM-1

Osteoporosis is closely associated with the dysfunction of bone metabolism, which is caused by the imbalance between new bone formation and bone resorption. Osteogenic differentiation plays a vital role in maintaining the balance of bone microenvironment. The present study investigated whether melatonin participated in the osteogenic commitment of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) and further explored its underlying mechanisms. Our data showed that melatonin exhibited the capacity of regulating osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs, which was blocked by its membrane receptor inhibitor luzindole. Further study demonstrated that the expression of miR‐92b‐5p was up‐regulated in BMSCs after administration of melatonin, and transfection of miR‐92b‐5p accelerated osteogenesis of BMSCs. In contrast, silence of miR‐92b‐5p inhibited the osteogenesis of BMSCs. The increase in osteoblast differentiation of BMSCs caused by melatonin was attenuated by miR‐92b‐5p AMO as well. Luciferase reporter assay, real‐time qPCR analysis and western blot analysis confirmed that miR‐92b‐5p was involved in osteogenesis by directly targeting intracellular adhesion molecule‐1 (ICAM‐1). Melatonin improved the expression of miR‐92b‐5p, which could regulate the differentiation of BMSCs into osteoblasts by targeting ICAM‐1. This study provided novel methods for treating osteoporosis.

Different routes and formulations of melatonin in critically ill patients. A pharmacokinetic randomized study

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Critically ill patients present reduced endogenous melatonin blood levels, and they might benefit from its exogenous supplementation. The aim of this research was to evaluate the feasibility of different routes of administration and drug formulations of melatonin. The efficiency of absorption was assessed as well as the adequacy in achieving and maintaining the physiological nocturnal blood peak.

METHODS

Twenty-one high-risk critically ill patients were randomly assigned to receive melatonin either: (a) per os, as a standard tablet (ST-OS), (b) per os, as a suspension in solid lipid nanoparticles (SLN-OS) or c) transdermal (TD), by applying a jellified melatonin microemulsion (μE) on the skin (μE-TD). SLN-OS and μE-TD were lipid-based colloidal systems. The endogenous melatonin blood values were observed for 24 hours; subsequently, melatonin 3 mg was administered and pharmacokinetics was studied for 24 hours further.

RESULTS

In both groups that received ST-OS and SLN-OS, the median time-to-peak blood concentration was 0.5 hours; however, the area under the curve (AUC) after administration of SLN-OS was significantly higher than after ST-OS (157386 [65732-193653] vs 44441 [22319-90705] pg/mL*hours, P = 0.048). μE-TD presented a delayed time-to-peak blood concentration (4 hours), a lower bioavailability (AUC: 3142 [1344-14573] pg/mL*hours) and reached pharmacological peak concentration (388 [132-1583] pg/mL).

CONCLUSIONS

SLN-melatonin enterally administered offers favourable pharmacokinetics in critically ill patients, with higher bioavailability with respect to the standard formulation; μE-TD provided effective pharmacological blood levels, with a time-concentration profile more similar to the physiological melatonin pattern.

Reciprocal Interactions of Mitochondria and the Neuroimmunoendocrine System in Neurodegenerative Disorders: An Important Role for Melatonin Regulation

Structural and functional alterations of mitochondria are intimately linked to a wide array of medical conditions. Many factors are involved in the regulation of mitochondrial function, including cytokines, chaperones, chemokines, neurosteroids, and ubiquitins. The role of diffusely located cells of the neuroendocrine system, including biogenic amines and peptide hormones, in the management of mitochondrial function, as well as the role of altered mitochondrial function in the regulation of these cells and system, is an area of intense investigation. The current article looks at the interactions among the cells of the neuronal-glia, immune and endocrine systems, namely the diffuse neuroimmunoendocrine system (DNIES), and how DNIES interacts with mitochondrial function. Whilst changes in DNIES can impact on mitochondrial function, local, and systemic alterations in mitochondrial function can alter the component systems of DNIES and their interactions. This has etiological, course, and treatment implications for a wide range of medical conditions, including neurodegenerative disorders. Available data on the role of melatonin in these interactions, at cellular and system levels, are reviewed, with directions for future research indicated.