Batool Mirza U, Sarfaraz I, Kiran Z, Sohail D, Khan R, Raza AA, Samadi A. Melatonin’s anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects in gallstone disease: A narrative review. World J Hepatol 2025; 17(9): 110964 [DOI: 10.4254/wjh.v17.i9.110964]
Corresponding Author of This Article
Abedin Samadi, MD, Department of Internal Medicine, Kabul University of Medical Sciences Abu Ali Sina, Ataturk Avenue, Jamal Mena, 3rd District, Kabul 1006, Afghanistan. abedinsamadi4@gmail.com
Research Domain of This Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Article-Type of This Article
Minireviews
Open-Access Policy of This Article
This article is an open-access article which was selected by an in-house editor and fully peer-reviewed by external reviewers. It is distributed in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial (CC BY-NC 4.0) license, which permits others to distribute, remix, adapt, build upon this work non-commercially, and license their derivative works on different terms, provided the original work is properly cited and the use is non-commercial. See: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/
World J Hepatol. Sep 27, 2025; 17(9): 110964 Published online Sep 27, 2025. doi: 10.4254/wjh.v17.i9.110964
Melatonin’s anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects in gallstone disease: A narrative review
Umaimah Batool Mirza, Imteshal Sarfaraz, Zunaira Kiran, Daniyal Sohail, Rahim Khan, Ahmed Asad Raza, Abedin Samadi
Umaimah Batool Mirza, Imteshal Sarfaraz, Zunaira Kiran, Daniyal Sohail, Ahmed Asad Raza, Department of Medicine, Jinnah Sindh Medical University, Karachi 75510, Sindh, Pakistan
Rahim Khan, Department of Emergency Medicine, Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Trauma Unit, Karachi 75510, Sindh, Pakistan
Abedin Samadi, Department of Internal Medicine, Kabul University of Medical Sciences Abu Ali Sina, Kabul 1006, Afghanistan
Author contributions: Batool Mirza U, Sarfaraz I, Kiran Z, Sohail D, Khan R, Raza AA, and Samadi A contributed equally to the development of this manuscript; all authors were involved in conceptualizing key sections, interpreting relevant data, and ensuring the overall quality and accuracy of the content, participated in the literature review, drafting and critical revision, have approved the final manuscript and agree to be accountable for all aspects of the work.
Conflict-of-interest statement: The authors declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.
Open Access: This article is an open-access article that was selected by an in-house editor and fully peer-reviewed by external reviewers. It is distributed in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution NonCommercial (CC BY-NC 4.0) license, which permits others to distribute, remix, adapt, build upon this work non-commercially, and license their derivative works on different terms, provided the original work is properly cited and the use is non-commercial. See: https://creativecommons.org/Licenses/by-nc/4.0/
Corresponding author: Abedin Samadi, MD, Department of Internal Medicine, Kabul University of Medical Sciences Abu Ali Sina, Ataturk Avenue, Jamal Mena, 3rd District, Kabul 1006, Afghanistan. abedinsamadi4@gmail.com
Received: June 19, 2025 Revised: July 23, 2025 Accepted: August 25, 2025 Published online: September 27, 2025 Processing time: 98 Days and 11.5 Hours
Abstract
Gallstone disease (cholelithiasis) is a common gastrointestinal (GI) disorder characterized by the accumulation of hardened bile constituents, often leading to complications such as cholecystitis, cholangitis, and pancreatitis. Most gallstones are cholesterol-based and form due to bile supersaturation, gallbladder dysmotility, and inflammation. Current treatment options–such as ursodeoxycholic acid, laparoscopic cholecystectomy, and dietary modifications–have limitations including invasiveness, prolonged duration, side effects, and recurrence risk. Melatonin, a hormone secreted by the pineal gland, has gained attention for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, as well as its regulatory effects on lipid metabolism and gallbladder motility. Experimental studies suggest that melatonin reduces biliary cholesterol, suppresses oxidative stress, and restores gallbladder muscle function, thereby preventing gallstone formation. It is also present in bile and shown to enhance cholesterol conversion into bile acids and inhibit intestinal cholesterol absorption. Beyond gallstone prevention, melatonin demonstrates protective effects against GI malignancies, including hepatocellular carcinoma and cholangiocarcinoma, by regulating mitochondrial function, inhibiting glycolysis, and modulating apoptosis. With a strong safety profile and minimal side effects, melatonin may serve as a promising adjunct or alternative for gallstone management, particularly in patients unfit for surgery. Further clinical research is warranted to validate its therapeutic role.
Core Tip: Emerging research highlights melatonin as a novel adjunct in gallstone disease management due to its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and lipid-regulating properties. Melatonin reduces biliary cholesterol saturation, enhances gallbladder motility, and protects epithelial cells from oxidative stress, addressing key mechanisms of gallstone formation. Its excellent safety profile and potential to prevent recurrence make it a promising non-invasive option, particularly for high-risk or surgery-resistant patients.
