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Review
. 2018 Jan 22;23(1):238.
doi: 10.3390/molecules23010238.

The Potential of Phytomelatonin as a Nutraceutical

Marino B Arnao  1 , Josefa Hernández-Ruiz  2
Affiliations
Review

The Potential of Phytomelatonin as a Nutraceutical

Marino B Arnao et al. Molecules. .

Abstract

Phytomelatonin (plant melatonin) is chemically related to the amino acid tryptophan and has many diverse properties. Phytomelatonin is an interesting compound due to its outstanding actions at the cellular and physiological level, especially its protective effect in plants exposed to diverse stress situations, while its vegetable origin offers many opportunities because it is a natural compound. We present an overview of its origin, its action in plants in general (particularly in plant species with high levels of phytomelatonin), and its possibilities for use as a nutraceutical with particular attention paid to the beneficial effects that it may have in human health. The differences between synthetic melatonin and phytomelatonin, according to its origin and purity, are presented. Finally, the current market for phytomelatonin and its limits and potentials are discussed.

Keywords: antioxidant; cancer; circadian rhythm; dietary/food supplements; free radicals; fruits; medicinal plants; melatonin; neurological diseases; nutraceutical; phytomelatonin; plant foodstuffs; sleep disorders.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Biosynthetic pathways of phytomelatonin. The enzymes of the respective steps are: T5H—tryptophan 5-hydroxylase; TDC—tryptophan decarboxylase; TPH—tryptophan hydroxylase; SNAT—serotonin N-acetyltransferase; ASMT—acetylserotonin methyltransferase, and COMT—caffeic acid O-methyltransferase. The green and red lines show the predominant pathway in plants and in animals, respectively.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Studied roles of phytomelatonin in plant physiology.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Roles of melatonin in human physiology.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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