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Article
Open AccessMeasurement of melatonin in body fluids: Standards, protocols and procedures
The circadian rhythm of melatonin in saliva or plasma, or of the melatonin metabolite 6-sulfatoxymelatonin (a6MTs) in urine, is a defining feature of suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) function, the body’s endogeno...
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Article
Ramelteon: a review of its therapeutic potential in sleep disorders
Ramelteon is a tricyclic synthetic analog of melatonin that acts specifically on MT1 and MT2 melatonin receptors. Ramelteon’s half-life is longer than that of melatonin, being metabolized in the body to four main...
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Article
Drug Insight: the use of melatonergic agonists for the treatment of insomnia—focus on ramelteon
Melatonin has been used successfully to treat insomnia, but has not received regulatory approval by the FDA because it can be sold freely as a food supplement. This has prompted a search by pharmaceutical comp...
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Article
Open AccessMelatonin, a potent agent in antioxidative defense: Actions as a natural food constituent, gastrointestinal factor, drug and prodrug
Melatonin, originally discovered as a hormone of the pineal gland, is also produced in other organs and represents, additionally, a normal food constituent found in yeast and plant material, which can influenc...