New proposal involving nanoformulated melatonin targeted to the mitochondria as a potential COVID-19 treatment

VIRNA MARTÍN GIMENÉZ; NATALIA PRADO; EMILIANO DIEZ; WALTER MANUCHA; RUSSEL J. REITER

NANOMEDICINE

FUTURE MEDICINE LTD

Lugar: Londres; Año: 2020 vol. 15 p. 2819 - 2821

1743-5889

This commentary reviews the increasing utility of exogenous melatonin supplementation in the prevention and treatment of COVID-19. Melatonin is an endogenous compound with multiple properties which may significantly attenuate COVID-19 symptoms and reduce morbidity and mortality rates due to a SARS-CoV-2 infection. Antioxidative actions at the mitochondrial level are likely one of the major beneficial effects of melatonin. Although this is a molecule with multiple advantages including a very high safety profile, it also has some shortcomings that may limit its effective therapeutic use such as its oxidative susceptibility and low water solubility. The implementation of therapeutic nanoformulations for melatonin delivery may significantly improve the pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetic aspects of this important molecule, which would enhance its efficacy, stability and selectivity. Thus, serious consideration of melatonin nanoformulations may constitute a novel and versatile means for exogenous melatonin supplementation, which could be especially important for the management of diseases such as COVID-19 and other viral infections.