Griffonia Seed Extract/5-HTP

Latin Name:Griffonia Simplicifolia.
Active Ingredient:5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP)
CAS No:56-69-9
Specification:98%
MOQ:1kg
Lead Time:Within 7days after confirming order

What is 5-HTP?

Serotonin, also called 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), is a neurotransmitter that plays an important role in the regulation of many mental activities such as mood, appetite and anger and sleep. Low levels of serotonin have been associated with psychological and behavioral disorders such as depression, schizophrenia, migraine, carbohydrate cravings, etc. It is biosynthesized from L-tryptophan (TP) and is stored in central and peripheral neurons. Two key enzymes are required in the biosynthetic process. These are tryptophan-5-hydrolase which converts tryptophan to 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) and aromatic amino acid decarboxylase which converts 5-hydroxytryptophan to 5-HT.

Based on the biosynthetic process, levels of serotonin could be increased by promoting the levels of tryptophan or 5-HTP. The former can be achieved by increasing intake of tryptophan-rich dietary components and improving intestinal absorption of tryptophan. In early days, chemosynthetic methods were sought with an attempt to obtain 5-HTP. However, this approach has been limited by the lack of control of the reactions processes which might give rise to side products that could pose health hazards on consumers. With rapid development in natural products chemistry, there has been growing interest in the identification of natural extracts as rich sources of 5-HTP.

Functional components of Griffonia Seed Extract:

Phytochemical investigation shows that Griffonia Simplicifolia seed contains several indole derivatives including 5-HTP, indole-3-acetylaspartic acid and 5-hydroxy indole-3-acetic acid. Among them, 5-HTP has been recognized as the dominant indole derivative. 5-HTP is also the main functional component of Griffonia Seed Extract.
 
5-HTP has a molecular weight of 220.2（C11H12N2O3). Pure 5-HTP appears as white to yellow-white to off-white crystalline powders and has a mild astringent taste. Its melting point is 270oC and is slightly soluble in water.

Stability of Griffonia Seed Extract:

CHI carried out research on the shelf life of Griffonia Seed Extract under room conditions (25oC, 60% humidity) over a period of 36 months. Based on three quality markers including the 5-HTP content, impurity level and moisture content, Griffonia Seed Extract was proved to have extreme stability on shelf.

Safety of Griffonia Seed Extract:

Griffonia Seed Extract has been tested for its acute toxicity on NIH mice (body weight 20-22g) through oral administration. LD50 of  Griffonia Seed Extract was determined to be 5.4657 g/kg body weight (Bliss' method) which indicates that this product is safe for consumption.

As with all nutritional supplements or medications, individual response is variable. A clinical study by Switzerland Linnea Ltd. showed that the administration of 5-HTP could induce nausea, vomiting and other minor GI disturbances such as abdominal cramp, pain and diarrhea. Other rare adverse effects include mild and transient fluctuations in blood pressure, headache and palpitations. These symptoms usually disappear after a period of regular consumption. Serotonin overload in the peripheral circulation likely causes these adverse effects. However, there has not been reported cases of serotonin syndrome in humans in association with 5-HTP.

Recommended dosage:
 
Initial dosage of 50mg 5-HTP and three dosages a day after meals is recommended. The major consideration is that some patients may experience mild nausea when 5-HTP treatment is initiated. Dosage may be increased to 100mg after two weeks for more pronounced response. For insomnia, the dosage is usually 100-300mg before bedtime.

For the sake of minimizing GI disturbances, it is suggested that larger dosage should be taken in conjunction with the prescription drug carbidopa which can prevent the conversion of 5-HTP to serotonin in the peripheral circulation.