Comprehensive Effects of Melatonin Supplementation on Cardiometabolic Risk Factors: A Systematic Review and Dose–Response Meta-Analysis

Authors

• Shooka Mohammadi, Universiti Malaya
• Damoon Ashtary-Larky, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences
• Mahsa Erfanian-Salim, Children's Medical Center (TUMS)
• Navid Alaghemand, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences
• Mojtaba Yousefi, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences
• Pouyan Sanjari Pirayvatlou, Alborz University of Medical Sciences
• Mohammadreza Mirkarimi, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences
• Sara Ayazian Mavi, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences
• Ilnaz Alavi, University of Louisville School of Medicine
• Yeganeh Ettehad, Alborz University of Medical Sciences
• Milad Mehrbod, Mercy San Juan Medical Center
• Omid Asbaghi, SBUMS Cancer Research Center
• Katsuhiko Suzuki, Waseda University
• Russel J. Reiter, Joe R. & Teresa Lozano Long School of Medicine

Document Type

Review

Publication Date

1-1-2026

Abstract

Background/Objectives: There is no definitive consensus regarding the effects of melatonin on cardiometabolic risk factors (CMRFs). This systematic review and dose–response meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluated the impacts of melatonin supplementation on CMRFs, including anthropometric, lipid, glycemic, inflammatory, oxidative, and liver function parameters. Methods: A systematic search across multiple databases retrieved 63 eligible RCTs published up to October 2025. Results: This random-effects meta-analysis indicated that melatonin supplementation significantly reduced hip circumference (weighted mean difference (WMD): −1.18 cm, 95% confidence interval (CI): −2.28, −0.08), systolic blood pressure (WMD: −2.34 mmHg, 95% CI: −4.13, −0.55), fasting blood glucose (WMD: −11.63 mg/dL, 95% CI: −19.16, −4.10), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (WMD: −6.28 mg/dL, 95% CI: −10.53, −2.03), total cholesterol (WMD: −6.97 mg/dL, 95% CI: −12.20, −1.74), C-reactive protein (WMD: −0.59 mg/L, 95% CI: −0.94, −0.23), malondialdehyde (WMD: −1.54 μmol/L, 95% CI: −2.07, −1.01), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (WMD: −1.61 pg/mL, 95% CI: −2.31, −0.90), interleukin-6 (WMD: −6.43 pg/mL, 95% CI: −10.72, −2.15), and alanine aminotransferase (WMD: −2.61 IU/L, 95% CI: −4.87, −0.34). Supplementation with melatonin substantially increased serum total antioxidant capacity (WMD: 0.15 mmol/L, 95% CI: 0.08, 0.22) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (WMD: 2.04 mg/dL, 95% CI: 0.50, 3.57). No significant effects of melatonin were observed on body weight, waist circumference, body fat percentage, body mass index, fasting insulin, homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance, hemoglobin A1c, triglycerides, diastolic blood pressure, aspartate aminotransferase, or gamma-glutamyl transferase. Conclusions: Melatonin supplementation significantly ameliorated multiple CMRFs.

Publication Title

Nutrients

DOI

10.3390/nu18010134

Recommended Citation

Mohammadi, Shooka; Ashtary-Larky, Damoon; Erfanian-Salim, Mahsa; Alaghemand, Navid; Yousefi, Mojtaba; Sanjari Pirayvatlou, Pouyan; Mirkarimi, Mohammadreza; Mavi, Sara Ayazian; Alavi, Ilnaz; Ettehad, Yeganeh; Mehrbod, Milad; Asbaghi, Omid; Suzuki, Katsuhiko; and Reiter, Russel J., "Comprehensive Effects of Melatonin Supplementation on Cardiometabolic Risk Factors: A Systematic Review and Dose–Response Meta-Analysis" (2026). Research Publications (2026 to 2030). 375.
https://knova.um.edu.my/research_publications_2026_2030/375

Volume

18

Issue

1