Use of melatonin as a low cost treatment in fibromyalgia

Melatonin is a hormone produced by the pineal gland, synthesized from tryptophan and derived from serotonin by replacing the hydroxyl group with methoxy, after enzymatic transformations. It is released in the absence of light, signaling the existence and alternation between light / dark and the seasons. This work aims to understand the role and function of melatonin as an antinociceptive agent. The methodology used consisted of research in works published on Scielo, Bireme and Periodicals CAPES websites. Among the many effects of melatonin, antinociceptive action is included, since it produces a marked anti-inflammatory effect in peripheral sites, inhibiting the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Fibromyalgia is defined as a disease that mainly affects the muscles, and the fibromyalgia syndrome is also classified as a type of extraarticular, non-infectious rheumatic disorder that affects the soft parts of the body (muscles, ligaments and tendons) and non-joints. It is a complex disease that can be acquired by genetic causes or by stress. According to the World Health Organization - WHO, the disease affects 30% of the world population, and fibromyalgia syndrome affects about 2% to 4% of the adult population in accidental countries, with women 5 to 9 times more affected than men. The use of melatonin in the treatment of fibromyalgia has been shown to act as an antinociceptive, decreasing pain and symptoms of depression, however studies on this topic are still scarce