Pharmacological Properties of Melanin and its Function in Health

The biological pigment melanin is present in most of the biological systems. It manifests a host of biological and pharmacological properties. Its role as a molecule with special properties and functions affecting general health, including photoprotective and immunological action, are well recognize...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Basic & clinical pharmacology & toxicology 2017-06, Vol.120 (6), p.515-522
Main Authors: ElObeid, Adila Salih, Kamal‐Eldin, Afaf, Abdelhalim, Mohamed Anwar K., Haseeb, Adil M.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Anti-Inflammatory Agents - pharmacology
Anticarcinogenic Agents - pharmacology
Antioxidants
Antioxidants - pharmacology
Bioavailability
Biological properties
Diagnostic systems
Gastrointestinal Tract - drug effects
Health
Humans
Immune System - drug effects
Immunology
Immunomodulation
Inflammation
Liver - drug effects
Melanin
Melanins - pharmacology
Nervous system
Pharmacology
Radiation-Protective Agents - pharmacology
Sunscreening Agents - pharmacology
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Summary:The biological pigment melanin is present in most of the biological systems. It manifests a host of biological and pharmacological properties. Its role as a molecule with special properties and functions affecting general health, including photoprotective and immunological action, are well recognized. Its antioxidant, anti‐inflammatory, immunomodulatory, radioprotective, hepatic, gastrointestinal and hypoglycaemic benefits have only recently been recognized and studied. It is also associated with certain disorders of the nervous system. In this MiniReview, we consider the steadily increasing literature on the bioavailability and functional activity of melanin. Published literature shows that melanin may play a number of possible pharmacological effects such as protective, stimulatory, diagnostic and curative roles in human health. In this MiniReview, possible health roles and pharmacological effects are considered.
ISSN:1742-7835
1742-7843
DOI:10.1111/bcpt.12748