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

PRADO, NATALIA; REITER, RUSSEL J; DIEZ, EMILIANO; DIEZ, EMILIANO; MARTIN GIMENEZ, VIRNA MARGARITA; MANUCHA, WALTER; MARTIN GIMENEZ, VIRNA MARGARITA; MANUCHA, WALTER; PRADO, NATALIA; REITER, RUSSEL J

NANOMEDICINE

FUTURE MEDICINE LTD

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

1743-5889

Melatonin may be a powerful auxiliary therapy in the prevention and treatment of viral infections, such as coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Casually, the so-called ?super immunity? of bats and the usually high levels of melatonin in children could contribute to their high resistance to the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Melatonin seems to play a key role in suppressing COVID-19 infections. This endogenous antioxidant inhibits cell apoptosis, blocks the inflammasomes that mediate lung inflammation, reduces blood vessel permeability which limits alveolar edema, improves anxiety and sleeps habits that stimulate general immunity and prevents lung fibrosis. These complications, which are usually the main consequences of COVID-19, may be significantly attenuated by melatonin. Several nanoplatforms for the dermal delivery of melatonin were developed in the last several years; these include ethosomes, liposomes, niosomes, solid lipid nanoparticles, polymeric nanoparticles and cyclodextrins. The use of these nanoplatforms for melatonin delivery as an antioxidant agent would improve its efficacy in comparison with conventional melatonin formulations due to its greater protection from premature oxidation and the enhancement in cell uptake and bio-availability. On the basis of the technology available, melatonin delivery nanosystems should be examined with the aim of improving the stability, selectivity and efficacy of melatonin to create new therapeutic alternatives for the treatment of COVID-19 and/or other viral infections.