The Mechanisms of Melatonin’s Regulatory Functions on Neural Stem Cells’ Survival, Proliferation and Differentiation

Abstract

Neural stem cells (NSCs) are cells that can self-replicate and differentiate in the central nervous system into neurons and glial cells. The sub granular zone (SGZ) in the hippocampal dentate gyrus (DG) and the sub ventricular zone (SVZ) are the two principal locations where NSCs are discovered in the adult brain. The recent identification of NSCs in adult mammalian brains has sparked a flurry of preclinical and translational research to examine brand-new strategies for treating neurodegenerative illnesses. Therefore, mobilizing endogenous NSCs has become a possible therapeutic strategy for brain repair. The main secretory substance produced and released by the pineal gland is melatonin, which has a wide range of biological functions. Melatonin has recently been shown to play a significant role in NSCs, including their proliferation, differentiation, and survival. These processes are regulated by a variety of factors such as the MAPK/ERK signaling pathway, histone acetylation, neurotrophic factors, and apoptotic genes that are discussed in this review.