Melatonin attenuates growth factor receptor signaling required for SARS-CoV-2 replication
Jan Tesařík
Abstract
Melatonin has recently been
 suggested as a non-specific agent to prevent early (asymptomatic or moderate)
 infections with SARS-CoV-2 virus, the agent responsible for COVID-19, from
 developing to severe conditions requiring hospitalization. This recommendation
 was based on the ability of melatonin to suppress excessive inflammatory
 reactions and to modulate the immune system by attenuating the innate (blind
 and potentially harmful) response and potentiating the adaptive (selective and
 helpful) one. Recent data on the molecular mechanism of COVID-19 infection show
 that growth factor signaling is required for SARS-CoV-2 replication in the
 infected cells. When confronted with previously published data on the effects
 of melatonin on epidermal growth factor signaling, these data strongly suggest
 that melatonin can also act against the virus itself. Taken together, these
 data represent an additional argument in favor of using melatonin treatment as
 both a preventive and curative measure against COVID-19.