Tryptophan: Effects, Application

What is tryptophan? Tryptophan (L-tryptophan) is an essential amino acid – i.e. a protein building block that the body cannot produce itself and must therefore take in through the diet. It is important for a whole range of vital processes. Tryptophan, for example, is not only involved in building proteins. It is also an important … Tryptophan: Effects, Application

Melatonin Receptor Agonists

Products Melatonin receptor agonists are commercially available in tablet and capsule form. Structure and properties Melatonin receptor agonists are structurally derived from and related to the natural hormone melatonin. Effects Melatonin, a sleep hormone produced by the pineal (pineal) gland of the brain from tryptophan, has a central role in the body in regulating the … Melatonin Receptor Agonists

Cocoa

Products Cocoa powder is available in grocery stores and specialty stores. Cocoa butter is available in pharmacies and drugstores, among other places. Stem plant The evergreen cacao tree of the mallow family (Malvaceae, formerly Sterculiaceae) is native to South America and is now cultivated in regions around the equator, including South America, Africa and Asia. … Cocoa

Gelatin

Products Gelatin is available as a pure substance in grocery stores and in pharmacies or drugstores. It is found in many processed foods, pharmaceuticals, and sweets, among other products. Structure and properties Gelatin is a purified mixture of proteins obtained by either partial acid, alkaline, or enzymatic hydrolysis of collagen. Hydrolysis results in gelling and … Gelatin

Sleeping Pills: Effects, Side Effects, Dosage and Uses

Products Sleeping pills are most commonly taken in the form of tablets (“sleeping pills“). In addition, melting tablets, injectables, drops, teas and tinctures are also available, among others. The technical term hypnotics is derived from Hypnos, the Greek god of sleep. Structure and properties Within the sleeping pills, groups can be identified which have a … Sleeping Pills: Effects, Side Effects, Dosage and Uses

Glyphosate

Products Glyphosate was developed by Monsanto in the 1970s (Roundup) and is the world’s best-selling herbicide, with production volumes in the hundreds of thousands of tons. There are also numerous products on the market in many countries. Structure and properties Glyphosate or -(phosphonomethyl)glycine (C3H8NO5P, Mr = 169.1 g/mol) is an -phosphonomethyl derivative of the amino … Glyphosate

Triptorelin

Products Triptorelin is commercially available as an injectable. It has been approved in many countries since 1995. Structure and properties Triptorelin is a more potent derivative of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH). At position 6, the amino acid glycine has been replaced by D-tryptophan. It is a decapeptide. GnRH: Pyr-His-Trp-Ser-Tyr-Gly-Leu-Arg-Pro-Gly. Triptorelin: Pyr-His-Trp-Ser-Tyr-D-Trp-Leu-Arg-Pro-Gly Effects Triptorelin (ATC L02AE04) is … Triptorelin

Telotristat

Products Telotristat was approved in the United States in 2017 and in many countries in 2018 in film-coated tablet form (Xermelo). Structure and properties Telotristat (C27H26ClF3N6O3, Mr = 574.9 g/mol) is present in the drug as a salt of hippuric acid and as an ethyl ester prodrug. After absorption, the prodrug is rapidly hydrolyzed by … Telotristat

Amino Acids

Products Some preparations containing amino acids are approved as medicinal products. These include, for example, methionine tablets or infusion preparations for parenteral nutrition. Amino acids are also marketed as dietary supplements, such as lysine, arginine, glutamine, and cysteine tablets. Protein powders such as whey protein can also be counted as amino acid supplements. Amino acids … Amino Acids

Alkaloids

Products Alkaloids and their derivatives are contained as active ingredients in numerous medicines. They have been used medicinally for thousands of years, such as opium with morphine or coca leaves with cocaine. In 1805, a pure alkaloid was extracted for the first time by the German pharmacist Friedrich Sertürner with morphine. Structure and properties Alkaloids … Alkaloids

Serotonin Syndrome: Causes and Treatment

Background Serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) is a neurotransmitter biosynthesized from the amino acid tryptophan by decarboxylation and hydroxylation. It binds to seven different families of the serotonin receptor (5-HT1 to 5-HT7) and elicits central and peripheral effects that affect mood, behavior, sleep-wake cycle, thermoregulation, pain perception, appetite, vomiting, muscles, and nerves, among others. Serotonin is vasoconstrictive … Serotonin Syndrome: Causes and Treatment