Melatonin facts: Melatonin lacks immuno-inflammation boosting capacities at the molecular and cellular levels

Among the properties melatonin is claimed to possess, are the immuno-inflammation inductive capacities that would be responsible of some of the paramount of activities melatonin is reported to have in most of the human pathological conditions. In the present paper, we measured the effect of melatonin on established cellular models of immuno-inflammation, and found none. The discrepancies are discussed, especially because those properties are reported at pharmacological concentration (1 μM and beyond) at which the melatonin receptors are desensitized by internalization, leading to putative non-receptor-dependent mechanism of action. •The melatonin enthusiasts are ruining Science reputation, by claiming facts that are often wishful thinking.•Melatonin is not able to boost most of the actors of the immune system, even at pharmacological concentrations.•We hope to be able to show that some of the activities of melatonin are pure fantasies.