Abstract. The purpose of the article was to summarize modern data concerning physiological effects of melatonin in general and its influence at the gastrointestinal tract, in particular, on the basis of domestic and foreign scientific articles published over the past 7 years. The role of this hormone in the pathogenesis and prognostication of chronic gastritis and peptic ulcer course is highlighted, the results and perspectives of using medicines on it’s base in case of functional and organic pathology of the digestive system are outlined. The authors make a conclusion, that, despite a large number of thematic works, the problem of identifying the causes and methods of correcting abovementioned gastrointestinal diseases has not been finally resolved and requires further studies. In addition, the annually increasing number of complications in patients with gastrointestinal tract pathology and the development of antibiotic resistance associated with anti-Helicobacter therapy pose new challenges for improving approaches for elimination of symptoms and prevention of recurrence of peptic ulcer and chronic gastritis. These approaches, among other things, include the use of melatonin in complex therapy, and require further targeted study.

Keywords: gastroduodenal ulcer, chronic gastritis, melatonin