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World J Gastroenterol. Mar 14, 2014; 20(10): 2492-2498
Published online Mar 14, 2014. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v20.i10.2492
Published online Mar 14, 2014. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v20.i10.2492
Melatonin for the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome
Kewin Tien Ho Siah, Reuben Kong Min Wong, Khek Yu Ho, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University Medicine Cluster, National University Hospital, Singapore 119228, Singapore
Kewin Tien Ho Siah, Reuben Kong Min Wong, Khek Yu Ho, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 119228, Singapore
Author contributions: Siah KTH, Wong RKM and Ho KY contributed equally to this work.
Correspondence to: Khek Yu Ho, Professor of Medicine, Chief, University Medicine Cluster, National University of Singapore Tower Block, Level 10, 1E Kent Ridge Road, Singapore 119228, Singapore. khek_yu_ho@nuhs.edu.sg
Telephone: +65-67795555 Fax: +65-67794112
Received: October 28, 2013
Revised: December 17, 2013
Accepted: January 20, 2014
Published online: March 14, 2014
Revised: December 17, 2013
Accepted: January 20, 2014
Published online: March 14, 2014
Core Tip
Core tip: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common disorder associated with significant disability and high social cost. This is partly due to lack of effective treatment with low side effects. Melatonin is a drug that was postulated to be a potential useful arsenal in battling IBS. Its role in analgesia has been recognized in several other fields of medicine. Several well-designed placebo-controlled trials in IBS patients had consistently showed improvement of abdominal pain when taking 3 mg of melatonin with no serious side effect. Future studies should examine the long term effect of Melatonin as well as its effect on central nervous system and gut motility.