Abstract
In the therapeutic strategies, the role of diet is a well-established factor that can also have an important role in liver diseases. Melatonin, identified in animals, has many antioxidant properties and it was after discovered also in plants, named phytomelatonin. These substances have a positive effect during aging and in pathological conditions too. In particular, it is important to underline that the amount of melatonin produced by pineal gland in human decreases during lifetime and its reduction in blood could be related to pathological conditions in which mitochondria and oxidative stress play a pivotal role. Moreover, it has been indicated that melatonin/phytomelatonin containing foods may provide dietary melatonin, so their ingestion through balanced diets could be sufficient to confer health benefits. In this review, the classification of liver diseases and an overview of the most important aspects of melatonin/phytomelatonin, concerning the differences among their synthesis, their presence in foods and their role in health and diseases, are summarized. The findings suggest that melatonin/phytomelatonin supplementation with diet should be considered important in preventing different disease settings, in particular in liver. Currently, more studies are needed to strengthen the potential beneficial effects of melatonin/phytomelatonin in liver diseases and to better clarify the molecular mechanisms of action.
Highlights
Chronic liver diseases represent an important and underestimated world public health problem.At present, worldwide estimations show that 844 million people have chronic liver diseases, with a mortality rate of 2 million deaths per year [1]
Data regarding the protective effects of food rich in melatonin/phytomelatonin in liver pathological conditions currently are not available
The collected studies could suggest that the health-promoting effects ascribed to a dietary style with increasing of blood melatonin levels may be considered a promising preventive approach for a variety of liver diseases
Summary
Chronic liver diseases represent an important and underestimated world public health problem. Inflammation causes hepatocyte necrosis and induces the progression of fibrosis to cirrhosis hepatocellular carcinoma [5] During this pathological process, chronic oxidative stress, with the formation of free radicals and reactive oxygen species (ROS), plays an important role and the mitochondria seem to be pivotal. New frontiers for planning more effective therapies should consider oxidative stress and mitochondria as targets At this regard, the Mediterranean or other diets, rich in fruits and vegetables, seem to have an important role in prevent or treat several diseases. The classification of liver diseases, considering the involvement of mitochondria and oxidative stress and the beneficial effects of melatonin/phytomelatonin supplementation will be examined. They are enough to suppose its beneficial effect in hepatic pathologies considering the well-established antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of melatonin/phytomelatonin
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