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Melatonin as a protector against endocrine disruption across tissues: A systematic review
Summary
This review pulled together 61 studies and found that melatonin, a hormone your body makes naturally to regulate sleep, may also help protect against damage from everyday chemical exposures like BPA, phthalates, pesticides, heavy metals, and microplastics, which are known to disrupt your hormones. Melatonin appeared to work by fighting cell-damaging molecules, supporting hormone balance, and protecting organs including reproductive, brain, heart, and immune systems, mostly in animal and lab studies so far. While it's not yet proven as a treatment in humans, this is a promising early sign that something as simple as melat
Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are widespread environmental pollutants that interfere with hormonal homeostasis and contribute to multisystem toxicity. This systematic review aimed to synthesize available evidence on the protective effect of melatonin against EDC-induced toxicity across tissues. English language articles published between January 2000 and December 2025 were searched on PubMed, Web of Science, and Wiley Online. Eligible studies evaluated the protective or antagonistic effects of melatonin against EDC-induced toxicity in humans, mammals, or in vitro models. Data on study characteristics, EDC exposure, melatonin intervention, affected tissues, outcomes, and mechanisms were extracted, synthesized, and reported in accordance with the PRISMA 2020 guidelines. Sixty-one studies met the inclusion criteria. Melatonin exhibited protective effects against diverse EDCs, including bisphenols, phthalates, heavy metals, pesticides, and microplastics. The principal mechanisms identified were antioxidant and free-radical scavenging activity, modulation of hormone receptors, regulation of gene and protein expression, stabilization of endocrine axes, mitochondrial protection, and epigenetic modulation. These effects were observed across multiple organ systems, particularly the reproductive, neuroendocrine, cardiovascular, adrenal, and immune systems. Melatonin protects against EDC-induced multisystem toxicities by preserving endocrine signaling and coordinating cellular defense mechanisms across tissues, thereby holding therapeutic potential.