The Integrative Role of Melatonin in Psychiatric Disorders - A Systematic Review of Evidence from Circadian Biology, Lifestyle Medicine, and Psychoneuroimmunology - Review Article

Sep 30, 2026

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Melatonin, a hormone produced by the pineal gland, is known for regulating circadian rhythms and has emerging therapeutic potential in psychiatric disorders. This systematic review examines evidence from clinical and preclinical studies to assess melatonin's efficacy for depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia. It highlights antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory effects linking nutrition, lifestyle medicine, and psychoneuroimmunology (PNI). Findings indicate improved sleep quality, restored circadian balance, modulation of stress-related neuroimmune pathways, and reduced oxidative stress supporting resilience. Lifestyle factors, including diet, exercise, and sleep hygiene, may enhance melatonin's effects.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages12

Reading Time30 min

AccessFree to download

Abstract

Keywords

1. Introduction

Psychiatric disorders and global burden

Interplay of circadian rhythms, nutrition, lifestyle medicine, and PNI

BioMedicine | Volume 15 Issue 4 | Article 2 | | --- | --- | | 2025
The Integrative Role of Melatonin in Psychiatric Disorders: A Systematic Review of Evidence from Circadian Biology, Lifestyle Medicine, and Psychoneuroimmunology
Follow this and additional works at: [https://www.biomedicinej.com/biomedicine](https://www.biomedicinej.com/biomedicine)
Part of the Life Sciences Commons, and the Medical Sciences Commons

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License. | | Recommended Citation Le, Ho Bao Chau; Somsri, Kollawat; Bhunyakarnjanarat, Thansita; Hirankarn, Nattiya; and Leelahavanichkul, Asada (2025) "The Integrative Role of Melatonin in Psychiatric Disorders: A Systematic Review of Evidence from Circadian Biology, Lifestyle Medicine, and Psychoneuroimmunology,"BioMedicine: Vol. 15 : Iss. 4 , Article 2. DOI: 10.37796/2211-8039 .1682 This Review Article is brought to you for free and open access by BioMedicine. It has been accepted for inclusion in BioMedicine by an authorized editor of BioMedicine. The Integrative Role of Melatonin in Psychiatric Disorders: A Systematic Review of Evidence from Circadian Biology, Lifestyle Medicine, and Psychoneuroimmunology Cover Page Footnote Acknowledgments: This study was supported by Chulalongkorn University Graduate Scholarship Program 2025 for ASEAN and non-ASEAN countries, and Rachadapisek Sompote Matching Fund (RA-MF-03/68), Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University. This review article is available in BioMedicine: [https://www.biomedicinej.com/biomedicine/vol15/iss4/2](https://www.biomedicinej.com/biomedicine/vol15/iss4/2) REVIEW ARTICLE The integrative role of melatonin in psychiatric disorders: A systematic review of evidence from circadian biology, lifestyle medicine, and psychoneuroimmunology Ho Bao Chau Le a,b,c,d,*, Kollawat Somsri b,d,e, Thansita Bhunyakarnjanarat b,d, Nattiya Hirankarn b,c, Asada Leelahavanichkul b,d a Chulalongkorn University International Medical Sciences Program, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand b Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand c Center of Excellence in Immunology and Immune-mediated Diseases, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand d Center of Excellence in Translational Research in Inflammation and Immunology (CETRII), Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand e Chulalongkorn University International Medical Program (CU-MEDi), Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand Abstract Melatonin, a hormone produced by the pineal gland, is known for regulating circadian rhythms and has emerging therapeutic potential in psychiatric disorders. This systematic review examines evidence from clinical and preclinical studies to assess melatonin's efficacy in the following conditions: depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia. Beyond its role in circadian regulation, melatonin exhibits antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory properties, which intersect with nutrition, lifestyle medicine, and psychoneuroimmunology (PNI). The review finds that melatonin improves sleep quality, restores circadian balance, and modulates stress-related neuroimmune pathways. It also supports neuroplasticity and reduces oxidative stress, contributing to resilience against psychosocial and environmental stressors. Lifestyle factors, including diet, exercise, and sleep hygiene, enhance melatonin's effects, positioning it as a valuable component of multimodal treatment strategies. Within the PNI framework, melatonin facilitates communication between the nervous and immune systems, offering potential for targeted psychiatric interventions. This synthesis underscores melatonin's promise as a therapeutic and adjunctive strategy in personalized mental health care. Future research should prioritize rigorous clinical trials, biomarker-driven patient stratification,

FAQs

What psychiatric conditions does the review evaluate for melatonin efficacy?

The review assesses evidence for depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia, using both clinical and preclinical studies.

What mechanisms does the review emphasize beyond circadian regulation?

It highlights antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory properties, linking melatonin to nutrition, lifestyle medicine, and psychoneuroimmunology pathways.

What outcomes does the review report regarding sleep and stress-related pathways?

The review finds melatonin improves sleep quality, restores circadian balance, and modulates stress-related neuroimmune pathways while reducing oxidative stress.

Sep 30, 2026

Uploaded by moss~