A review of the evidence supporting melatonin's role as an antioxidant

: This survey summarizes the findings, accumulated within the last 2 years, concerning melatonin's role in defending against toxic free radicals. Free radicals are chemical constituents that have an unpaired electron in their outer or‐bital and, because of this feature, are highly reactive. Inspired oxygen, which sustains life, also is harmful because up to 5% of the oxygen (O 2 ) taken in is converted to oxygen‐free radicals. The addition of a...