Melatonin’s Benefits as a Treatment for COVID-19 Pandemic and Long COVID

Melatonin has been recognized for its therapeutic potential as a chronobiotic cytoprotective drug to combat the effects of COVID-19 infection. Melatonin may be unique in mitigating the symptoms of SARS-CoV-2 infection due to its wide-ranging actions as an antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory chemical. Furthermore, melatonin is an efficient chronobiotic drug in treating delirium and reversing the circadian disturbance caused by social isolation. Melatonin is a cytoprotector that helps to treat various comorbidities, including diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and ischemic and nonischemic cardiovascular disease, all of which increase COVID-19 illness. As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, it has become known that clinical sequelae and symptoms for a considerable number of patients may linger for weeks to months beyond the acute stage of SARS-CoV-2 infection (long COVID). Based on indications of neurological sequelae in COVID-19-infected individuals, there is another possible use of melatonin based on its documented neuroprotective properties. Melatonin is an excellent agent for controlling cognitive deterioration (brain fog) and pain in myalgic encephalomyelitis (i.e., chronic fatigue syndrome); therefore, its therapeutic importance for the neurological consequences of SARS-CoV-2 infection should be investigated.