Tags

Type your tag names separated by a space and hit enter

Melatonin and tryptophan derivatives as free radical scavengers and antioxidants.
Adv Exp Med Biol. 1999; 467:379-87.AE

Abstract

Several tryptophan derivatives function as free radical scavengers and antioxidants. The molecule that has been most widely investigated in this regard is N-acetyl-5-methoxytryptamine (melatonin); however, pinoline (6-methoxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-beta-carboline) and N-acetylserotonin also possess free radical scavenging activity. Experimental studies have shown that melatonin directly scavenges the hydroxy radical, peroxyl radical, peroxynitrite anion, and singlet oxygen. Furthermore, this tryptophan derivative stimulates a number of antioxidative enzymes and stabilizes cell membranes; this latter action helps membranes to resist free radical damage. While the antioxidative actions of most molecules are limited by their specific intracellular distribution, e.g., vitamin E in lipid-rich membranes, melatonin's antioxidative actions include the protection of lipids in the cell membrane, proteins in the cytosol, and DNA in the nucleus. Furthermore, melatonin crosses all morphophysiological barriers and enters equally well all cells in the organism.

Authors+Show Affiliations

Reiter RJ
Department of Cellular and Structural Biology, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio 78284, USA. reiter@uthscsa.edu
Tan DX
No affiliation info available
Cabrera J
No affiliation info available
D'Arpa D
No affiliation info available

MeSH

AnimalsAntioxidantsCell MembraneFree Radical ScavengersFree RadicalsHumansMelatoninOxygenTryptophan

Pub Type(s)

Journal Article
Review

Language

eng

PubMed ID

10721079

Citation

Reiter, R J., et al. "Melatonin and Tryptophan Derivatives as Free Radical Scavengers and Antioxidants." Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology, vol. 467, 1999, pp. 379-87.
Reiter RJ, Tan DX, Cabrera J, et al. Melatonin and tryptophan derivatives as free radical scavengers and antioxidants. Adv Exp Med Biol. 1999;467:379-87.
Reiter, R. J., Tan, D. X., Cabrera, J., & D'Arpa, D. (1999). Melatonin and tryptophan derivatives as free radical scavengers and antioxidants. Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology, 467, 379-87.
Reiter RJ, et al. Melatonin and Tryptophan Derivatives as Free Radical Scavengers and Antioxidants. Adv Exp Med Biol. 1999;467:379-87. PubMed PMID: 10721079.
* Article titles in AMA citation format should be in sentence-case
TY - JOUR T1 - Melatonin and tryptophan derivatives as free radical scavengers and antioxidants. AU - Reiter,R J, AU - Tan,D X, AU - Cabrera,J, AU - D'Arpa,D, PY - 2000/3/18/pubmed PY - 2000/5/16/medline PY - 2000/3/18/entrez SP - 379 EP - 87 JF - Advances in experimental medicine and biology JO - Adv Exp Med Biol VL - 467 N2 - Several tryptophan derivatives function as free radical scavengers and antioxidants. The molecule that has been most widely investigated in this regard is N-acetyl-5-methoxytryptamine (melatonin); however, pinoline (6-methoxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-beta-carboline) and N-acetylserotonin also possess free radical scavenging activity. Experimental studies have shown that melatonin directly scavenges the hydroxy radical, peroxyl radical, peroxynitrite anion, and singlet oxygen. Furthermore, this tryptophan derivative stimulates a number of antioxidative enzymes and stabilizes cell membranes; this latter action helps membranes to resist free radical damage. While the antioxidative actions of most molecules are limited by their specific intracellular distribution, e.g., vitamin E in lipid-rich membranes, melatonin's antioxidative actions include the protection of lipids in the cell membrane, proteins in the cytosol, and DNA in the nucleus. Furthermore, melatonin crosses all morphophysiological barriers and enters equally well all cells in the organism. SN - 0065-2598 UR - https://www.unboundmedicine.com/medline/citation/10721079/Melatonin_and_tryptophan_derivatives_as_free_radical_scavengers_and_antioxidants_ L2 - https://medlineplus.gov/antioxidants.html DB - PRIME DP - Unbound Medicine ER -