A new study has reported that melatonin and resveratrol reduce tumor growth and development in a mouse model of carcinogen-induced breast cancer. Melatonin is known primarily for its involvement in the regulation of circadian rhythms (the body clock), however it has also been shown to have antioxidant and anticarcinogenic properties, especially in breast cancer. Resveratrol, an anti-inflammatory, also has been shown have antioxidant activities and anticarcinogenic properties in breast cancer. To conduct the study, the authors used female Sprague-Dawley rats, who were exposed to the carcinogen N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (NMU) at age 31 days. NMU reliably induces mammary tumors in such rats. The rats were treated with resveratrol and melatonin starting two weeks before the first dose of NMU and lasting until the end of the experiment. Control rats were either left unexposed to NMU and untreated with resveratrol and melatonin, or were administered NMU but were not initially given treatment with resveratrol and melatonin. Various factors were measured and recorded for each group of rats, including time until the first tumors appeared, as well as number and size of tumors.

The combination resveratrol and melatonin was found to reduce tumor incidence by approximately 17% compared to untreated control rats. The treatment significantly reduced the quantity of both invasive and noninvasive (in situ) tumors. Food intake declined in the second and seventh weeks after the administration of the carcinogen in untreated rats. Resveratrol in combination with melatonin returned food intake to the level of intact controls. The authors conclude that resveratrol in combination with melatonin has some protective effects on NMU-induced rodent mammary cancer. Further studies are necessary to confirm the chemopreventive effect of this combination.

Comments regarding the study

Almonds, cherries (especially sour or tart cherries), and tomatoes are very good food sources of melatonin. Walnuts, oats, and sweet corn also contain some melatonin. On the other hand, red meat consumption has been shown reduce circulating melatonin. Red grapes, blueberries, blackberries and cranberries and their juices are good dietary sources of resveratrol. Red wine is not a desirable source of resveratrol because the breast cancer-promoting effects of its alcohol content appears to outweigh the beneficial effects of its resveratrol and other polyphenol content, according to available evidence. We caution against taking resveratrol or melatonin in supplement form because of the possibility of unintended effects. Safe and effective dosages for these supplements have not been established for breast cancer patients and survivors.