In search of novel and therapeutically significant melatoninergic ligands.

Abstract

Melatonin, the pineal gland hormone, is widely distributed in mammalian tissues and exerts its action via two melatonin receptor sub-types, MT(1) and MT(2). Melatonin is known to play functional roles in regulating circadian rhythms and seasonal reproduction. In recent years, growing evidence has also linked melatonin to a variety of other body systems and disease states, thus highlighting its significance as a therapeutic agent. However, due to its properties, melatonin is ineffective in clinical use, thus prompting the development of melatoninergic ligands that mimic the actions of melatonin but in a manner that is more potent and specific for melatonin receptors. An additional focus has been to develop ligands that exhibit receptor subtype selectivity. While there are over seventy patents on melatoninergic ligands, success in developing therapeutically effective melatoninergic ligands have been varied. However, the recent approval of Ramelteon for treatment of sleep disorders and the evaluation of other compounds in clinical trials have highlighted their clinical importance. In this review an overview of recently developed novel melatoninergic ligands is provided including recently filed patents and compounds undergoing clinical evaluation.

• Authors: Sejal M Mody, Yueqing Hu, Maurice K C Ho, Yung H Wong
• Journal: Recent patents on CNS drug discovery (Recent Pat CNS Drug Discov) Vol. 2 Issue 3 Pg. 241-5 (Nov 2007) ISSN: 1574-8898 [Print] United Arab Emirates
• PMID: 18221235 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Review)

Chemical References

• Ligands
• Receptors, Melatonin
• Melatonin

Topics

• Animals
• Biomedical Research
• Circadian Rhythm (drug effects)
• Humans
• Ligands
• Melatonin (metabolism)
• Receptors, Melatonin (agonists, antagonists & inhibitors, physiology)
• Sleep Wake Disorders (drug therapy, metabolism)