Effect of interaction of
melatonin and
caffeine on
caffeine induced oxidative stress and
sleep disorders was studied. Fifteen wistar rats were randomly assigned into three study groups. The animals in group 1 (the control) received a placebo of 10.0 ml distilled water via gastric intubation. The hosts in groups 2 and 3 were treated with 100 mg
caffeine/ kg, or
melatonin/ kg, respectively, in a total volume of 10.0 ml vehicle. The experiment lasted for 30 days. One day after the final exposure, the animals were euthanized by inhalation of overdose of
chloroform. Blood was collected by cardiac
puncture. Serum was obtained by centrifugation (6000 Xg, 30 mins), and used for serum total
protein and serum blood
urea nitrogen levels. The brain of each rat was also harvested and processed into whole homogenate, frozen in liquid
nitrogen (N2), and maintained at -80oC until used for total brain
cholesterol and
tryptophan levels. The results showed that interaction of
melatonin and
caffeine enhanced
protein synthesis; stimulated gonadotrophin release, and could be used as
oral contraceptive for women, and may be beneficial in the treatment of
impotence (
androgen depression), leading to improved reproductive and sex life; stimulated
tryptophan metabolism, which prevents
vitamin B6 deficiency,
anemia, negative
nitrogen balance, tissue wasting and accumulation of
xanthurenic acid, which promotes sleep; and could be beneficial in the treatment of hyper cholesterolemia, thereby preventing
coronary heart disease, and
post menopausal osteoporosis.