[PROTECTIVE ROLE OF MELATONIN IN ETIOLOGY AND COURSE OF PARKINSON'S DISEASE: EXPERIMENTAL EVIDENCE.]

Literature data about participation of melatonin - the main hormone of pineal gland - in the origin and course of Parkinson's disease are reviewed. On the cellular level, melatonin demonstrates neuroprotective activity based on the limitation of oxidative stress, inflammation, and degradation of dopamine in nervous tissue, the attenuation of mitochondrial dysfunction, and the accumulation of alpha-synuclein, which are observed in parkinsonian animals and human patients. Moreover, melatonin is capable of inducing some systemic changes that limit disorganization of circadian rhythm and insomnia. It is suggested that, after extensive placebo controlled and randomized examinations in clinical practice, melatonin may be recommended for complex therapy of Parkinson's disease with obligatory taking into consideration some variable factors.