Dubbels R, Reiter R J, Klenke E, Goebel A, Schnakenberg E, Ehlers C, Schiwara H W, Schloot W
Center of Human Genetics and Genetic Counselling, University of Bremen, Germany.
J Pineal Res. 1995 Jan;18(1):28-31. doi: 10.1111/j.1600-079x.1995.tb00136.x.
Melatonin, the chief hormone of the pineal gland in vertebrates, is widely distributed in the animal kingdom. Among many functions, melatonin synchronizes circadian and circannual rhythms, stimulates immune function, may increase life span, inhibits growth of cancer cells in vitro and cancer progression and promotion in vivo, and was recently shown to be a potent hydroxyl radical scavenger and antioxidant. Hydroxyl radicals are highly toxic by-products of oxygen metabolism that damage cellular DNA and other macromolecules. Herein we report that melatonin, in varying concentrations, is also found in a variety of plants. Melatonin concentrations, measured in nine different plants by radioimmunoassay, ranged from 0 to 862 pg melatonin/mg protein. The presence of melatonin was verified by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. Our findings suggest that the consumption of plant materials that contain high levels of melatonin could alter blood melatonin levels of the indole as well as provide protection of macromolecules against oxidative damage.
褪黑素是脊椎动物松果体的主要激素，在动物界广泛分布。在众多功能中，褪黑素可使昼夜节律和年节律同步，刺激免疫功能，可能延长寿命，在体外抑制癌细胞生长，在体内抑制癌症进展和促进作用，并且最近被证明是一种有效的羟基自由基清除剂和抗氧化剂。羟基自由基是氧代谢产生的剧毒副产物，会损害细胞DNA和其他大分子。在此我们报告，褪黑素也以不同浓度存在于多种植物中。通过放射免疫分析法在九种不同植物中测得的褪黑素浓度范围为0至862皮克褪黑素/毫克蛋白质。通过气相色谱/质谱法验证了褪黑素的存在。我们的研究结果表明，食用含有高水平褪黑素的植物材料可能会改变血液中吲哚类褪黑素的水平，并为大分子提供抗氧化损伤的保护。
