Scientific Basis for the Potential Use of Melatonin in Bone Diseases: Osteoporosis and Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis

Figure 1

Effects of melatonin on bone metabolism. (a) Melatonin promotes the osteoblast proliferation and the synthesis osteoprotegerin, which inhibits the differentiation of osteoclasts by preventing the binding of ODF (osteoclast differentiation factor) to RANK on the differentiating osteoclasts. (b) Melatonin through its free radical scavenging properties impairs osteoclast activity on bone. Based on Cardinali et al. [4].