Environmental chemicals and drugs can induce cardiotoxicity, mainly by generating free radicals. Reactive oxygen species play a critical role in the pathogenesis of cardiac tissue injury. This highlights a need for prevention of cardiotoxicity by scavenging free radicals. Melatonin has been shown to act as a protector against various conditions in which free radicals cause molecular and tissue injury. Some of the mechanisms by which melatonin operates as a free radical scavenger and antioxidant have been identified. The importance of endogenous melatonin in cardiovascular health and the benefits of melatonin supplementation in different cardiac pathophysiological disorders have been shown in a variety of model systems. Melatonin continues to attract attention for its potential therapeutic value for cardiovascular toxicity. The therapeutic potential of melatonin in treatment of cardiotoxicities caused by various chemicals along with suggested molecular mechanisms of action for melatonin is reviewed.

环境化学品和药物可引起心脏毒性，主要是通过产生自由基。活性氧在心脏组织损伤的发病机制中起关键作用。这突出表明需要通过清除自由基来预防心脏毒性。褪黑激素已被证明可作为各种条件的保护剂，在这些条件下，自由基会导致分子和组织损伤。褪黑激素作为自由基清除剂和抗氧化剂发挥作用的一些机制已被确定。内源性褪黑激素在心血管健康中的重要性以及补充褪黑激素对不同心脏病理生理疾病的益处已在各种模型系统中得到证实。褪黑激素因其对心血管毒性的潜在治疗价值而继续受到关注。