High doses of melatonin as a potential therapeutic tool for the neurologic sequels of covid-19 infection
Daniel P. Cardinali
Abstract
The therapeutic potential of melatonin as an agent to counteract the consequences of COVID-19 infections is due to its wide-ranging effects as a powerful antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immunostimulant, as well as to a possible antiviral action. In view of the recently reported evidence on the occurrence of neurological sequels in COVID-19-infected patients, another putative application of melatonin emerges based on its neuroprotective properties. In this manuscript a brief discussion of melatonin activity in animal models of ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke and the allometric calculations of the possible human equivalent doses are made. Based on the safety of melatonin, and in order to maximize its therapeutic opportunity, doses of 100 - 300 mg p.o. or i.v. are proposed.