Melatonin

Melatonin (N-Acetyl-5-methoxytryptamine)

Full Research Introduction & Administration Guide IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER: For laboratory research use only. Not approved for human injection, clinical treatment or consumption. All dosing information is summarized from published preclinical literature purely for experimental reference.

1. Basic Overview

• Chemical Name: N-Acetyl-5-methoxytryptamine
• CAS Number: 73-31-4
• Molecular Formula: C₁₃H₁₆N₂O₂
• Molecular Weight: 232.28 Da
• Form: Lyophilized white/off-white crystalline powder
• Plasma Half-life: 30–60 minutes
• Source: Endogenously synthesized by the mammalian pineal gland; also produced in many peripheral tissues.
• Core Feature: Primary chronobiotic hormone regulating circadian rhythm; powerful direct & indirect antioxidant with broad anti-inflammatory activity.

2. Mechanism of Action

1. Circadian Regulation via MT₁ / MT₂ Receptors Activates G-protein coupled MT₁ and MT₂ receptors in the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN). MT₁ suppresses neuronal firing to initiate sleep; MT₂ controls circadian phase shifting.
2. Direct Antioxidant Activity Neutralizes reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species. Its metabolites also retain antioxidant properties; protects mitochondrial membrane integrity.
3. Anti-Inflammatory Signaling Inhibits NF-κB pathway and NLRP3 inflammasome; lowers pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6).
4. Anti-Apoptotic & Tissue Protective Effects Upregulates anti-apoptotic Bcl-2; reduces oxidative cell death in neurons, endothelial cells and epithelial tissue.
5. Metabolic & Immune Modulation Modulates insulin sensitivity, supports immune cell function, and regulates seasonal biological rhythms in animal models.

3. Main Research Applications

• Circadian rhythm, sleep disturbance & jet lag laboratory models
• Neurodegeneration research (Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, traumatic brain injury)
• Oxidative stress, inflammation and mitochondrial damage experiments
• Vascular endothelial protection & microcirculation studies
• Skin photoprotection and anti-senescence in skin cell culture
• Oncology preclinical models (oxidative stress modulation in tumor microenvironment)
• Aging, immunosenescence and combined neuroprotective compound screening

4. Reconstitution Instructions (Lyophilized Vial)

1. Allow vial to reach room temperature; protect powder from direct light.
2. Preferred solvent options for lab use:
   • Option A: Ethanol (absolute ethanol) for stock solution
   • Option B: DMSO for cell culture experiments
   • Option C: Bacteriostatic water + small volume ethanol co-solvent (for injection animal protocols)

3. Gently rotate the vial to dissolve. Do not shake violently.
4. Storage Requirements

• Unreconstituted lyophilized powder: Hermetically sealed, −20°C, protected from light. Stable for up to 24 months.
• Reconstituted stock solution: Aliquot and store at −20°C / −80°C. Avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles. Use within 30 days.

5. Research Administration Protocols

A) In Vitro Cell Culture

Working concentration range: 0.1 μM – 100 μM

• Low dose: 0.1–1 μM (circadian, anti-senescence assays)
• Medium dose: 1–10 μM (antioxidant, inflammation models)
• High dose: 10–100 μM (neuroprotection, apoptosis research)

B) In Vivo Animal Research

1. Subcutaneous / Intraperitoneal Injection (Most common)

• Low experimental dose: 2.5–5 mg/kg body weight
• Standard experimental dose: 10–20 mg/kg body weight
• High experimental dose: Up to 30–50 mg/kg body weight
• Timing: Typically administered 30–60 minutes before dark phase for circadian studies.

2. Oral Administration Dose range: 5–30 mg/kg once daily.

Reference Experimental Cycle

Daily administration for 4–8 weeks; implement a 2–4 week washout interval for long-term chronic research.

6. Precautions & Observed Adverse Reactions

1. Pure laboratory research compound. Not authorized for human therapeutic injection.
2. Strict aseptic technique required during reconstitution to prevent microbial contamination.
3. Discard solution if discoloration occurs; light causes oxidative degradation.
4. Observed mild dose-dependent reactions in animal models: transient mild sedation, slight lowering of core body temperature.
5. Avoid combining with other sedative agents unless specified in your experimental protocol.
6. Melatonin interacts with CYP1A2 metabolic pathways; consider potential drug compound interactions in co-administration studies.
7. Aqueous solubility limitation: avoid over-dilution in pure water without co-solvent.

Short Version (For Product Page / Customer Direct Message)

Melatonin (N-Acetyl-5-methoxytryptamine)

Melatonin is an endogenous indoleamine hormone, not a peptide. It acts on MT1/MT2 receptors to regulate circadian rhythms. It is widely studied as a powerful antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective agent. Common research fields include sleep physiology, neurodegeneration, oxidative stress and tissue protection.

Reconstitution

Best dissolved in ethanol or DMSO. Protect all solutions from light. Aliquot stock and avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles.

Reference Research Dosage

Cell culture: 0.1–100 μM. Animal injection: 5–20 mg/kg daily.