Melatonin for Multiple Sclerosis?

Because oxidative stress is high in subjects with multiple sclerosis (MS), Polish researchers are investigating the neuroprotectant melatonin as an ingredient for MS relief.

Researchers assigned 16 multiple sclerosis patients to 10 mg of melatonin daily for 30 days and compared contents of their red blood cells to those of 13 age-matched controls. The researchers specifically looked for changes in concentrations of malondialdehyde (an oxidative stress marker) and the antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxide.

After one month of supplementation, two of three antioxidant enzymes statistically increased in MS patients, and malondialdehyde also significantly decreased. The results of this preliminary study warrant future research on melatonin and subjects with progressive MS.