Phytomelatonin: a comprehensive literature review and recent advance on medicinal meadow

Abstract

Melatonin (N-acetyl-5-methoxytryptamine), a well-known pineal gland hormone, was discovered in plants in 1995 but till then very little research into it has been carried out in this arena. It is present in different parts of all the plant species studied, including leaves, stems, roots, fruits and seeds. Based on the ubiquitous distribution of melatonin in all kingdoms, melatonin was even suggested as the nature's most versatile biological signal molecule. Since the identification of melatonin in plants by Hattori. Several reports have published and opened up a new area in the field of plant derived melatonin i.e. phytomelatonin. Phytomelatonin is biosynthesized in plants from tryptophan precursor. Majority of the herbs containing high levels of melatonin have been used traditionally to treat neurological disorders associated with the generation of free radicals which might be associated with its potent antioxidant activity. This concise survey will endeavor to provide an overview phytomelatonin along with its distribution, biosynthesis and probable role in plant growth and regulation.