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Dietetic and Pharmaceutical Raw Materials
MELATONIN
Melatonin
(N-Acetyl-5-methoxy-tryptamin) is a hormone secreted by the pineal gland of
mammals but also produced in other tissues. In organisms it is synthesized from
serotonin by (among others) a N-Acetyl-transferase which is activated only in
the dark. It is assumed to regulate the day-night cycle in photoperiodic
mammals (BINKLEY, 1979). Probably through an influence of the day length but
possibly also via uptake from seasonal plants Melatonin does also influence
seasonal activities in animals: It is used to initiate the mating season in
sheep (BRAUKMANN, 1995). It is an efficient radical scavenger (PIERREFICHE,
1995) and an oncostatic (HILL, 1988). It is assumed that the cancer enhancing
effect of electromagnetic fields is caused by the fact that the "electro
smog" lowers the natural Melatonin supply (LOESCHER, 1996) The observation
that certain plants are less affected by atmospheric ozone than others has
induced a search for Melatonin also in plant tissues. It was recently found to
be present in low concentrations in for instance tomatoes, carots and
especially nuts (HATTORI, 1995; DUBBELS, 1995). Ingested Melatonin is rapidly
absorbed and transported to essentially every organ including skin and muscle
(REPPERT, 1978) Melatonin is non-toxic. A LD50 could not be determined
(BARCHAS, 1967). Daily dosages as high as 6000 mg per night and person for one
month lead to sleepiness for some hours on the next day. Occasional abdominal
discomfort was reported but no serious side effects (WALDHAUSER, 1984)
Melatonin is at present widely used to fight jet lag (that is to adjust the
circadian rythm after travelling across time zones). In travelling West to East
the internal clock has to be advanced. In this case Melatonin should be taken
already on the day before departure some hours before the anticipated bed time
in the Eastern location. If the time difference is three hours the first dose
of (e.g. 0.5 mg) Melatonin should be taken a day before departure and on the
day of departure at 14:00 o'clock (17:00 at the Eastern location) and at 17:00
on the first day in the Eastern location. In traveling West Melatonin should be
taken on waking up (too early) in the Western location (BRODY/LEWY, 1995)
References
BARCHAS, J. et al., 1967:
Acute pharmacology of melatonin. Nature 214; 929-930
BINKLEY, 1979: Spektrum
Wiss. 1979, No. 6, p. 82-87 BRAUKMANN, 1995: Chemische Rundschau, 25 Aug. 1995,
p. 8 BRODY, J.E., 1995: New York Times, August 1995
DUBBELS, R. et al., 1995:
Melatonin in edible plants identified by radioimmuno assay and by gas chromatog
J. Pineal Res. 1995: 18, 28-31 HATTORI, A. et al., 1995: Identification of
Melatonin in plants and its effects on plasma Melatonin levels and binding to
Melatonin receptors in vertebrates. Biochem and Molec. Biol. Intern. vol 35,
No. 3, March 1995, 627-634
HILL, S.M. et al, 1988:
Effects of the pineal hormone melatonin on proliferation and morphological
characteristics of human breast cancer cells (MCF-7) in culture. Cancer Res.
48:6121-6126
LOESCHER, W. et al.: 1996:
Cancer Letters, vol 96, p. 175 (See also: Life Sciences, vol. 21, p 1531).
PIERREFICHE G. et al.,
1995: Oxygen free radicals, melatonin and aging. Experimental Gerontology
30(3/4); 213-227, 1995
REPPERT, S.M., 1978:
Transport of maternal [3H]melatonin to suckling rats and the fat of
[3H]melatonin in the neonatal rat. Endocrinology 102:582-588
WALDHAUSER, F., et al.,
1984: Melatonin in human body fluids: clinical significance. In Reiter, r. (ed)
The Pineal Gland. Raven Press,
