L-Tryptophan

Toxicity

Oral rat LD50: > 16 gm/kg. Investigated as a tumorigen, mutagen, reproductive effector. Symptoms of overdose include agitation, confusion, diarrhea, fever, overactive reflexes, poor coordination, restlessness, shivering, sweating, talking or acting with excitement you cannot control, trembling or shaking, twitching, and vomiting.

Description

L-Tryptophan is one of nine essential amino acids for humans—“essential” in that the body cannot synthesize them, so they must be part of the diet. Fortunately, tryptophan is a constituent of many common foods, especially ones that are high in protein.
In 1901, British biochemists Frederick Gowland Hopkins and Sydney W. Cole discovered tryptophan in the milk derivative casein. (In 1929, Hopkins was a co-winner of the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for the discovery of vitamins.) The first lab synthesis of tryptophan was reported by German chemist/pharmacologist Alexander Ellinger in 1906.
In the body, tryptophan is a biochemical precursor to serotonin and melatonin, a neurotransmitter and a hormone, respectively. Low serotonin levels are associated with depression, which has prompted the marketing of tryptophan as an over-the-counter depression treatment. The scientific evidence for this use, however, is sketchy. Most commercial tryptophan is produced by microbial fermentation.
Legend has it that melatonin produced from large amounts of tryptophan in turkey meat causes drowsiness after a Thanksgiving dinner. It turns out, however, that turkey contains no more tryptophan than other types of meat. It’s more likely that the consumption of copious quantities of all kinds of food prompts our post–turkey feast naps.
Originally the Molecule of the Week for November 20, 2006

The Uses of L-Tryptophan

L-tryptophan is an essential amino acid which is necessary for normal growth in infants and for nitrogen balance in adults. It acts as a natural dietary supplement and used as an antidepressant, anxiolytic and sleep aid. It is used as a precursor to niacin, indole alkaloids and serotonin. It acts as an important intrinsic fluorescent probe, which finds to estimate the nature of microenvironment of the tryptophan.

What are the applications of Application

L-Tryptophan is An essential amino acid

Background

An essential amino acid that is necessary for normal growth in infants and for nitrogen balance in adults. It is a precursor of indole alkaloids in plants. It is a precursor of serotonin (hence its use as an antidepressant and sleep aid). It can be a precursor to niacin, albeit inefficiently, in mammals.

Indications

Tryptophan may be useful in increasing serotonin production, promoting healthy sleep, managing depression by enhancing mental and emotional well-being, managing pain tolerance, and managing weight.

Pharmacokinetics

Tryptophan is critical for the production of the body's proteins, enzymes and muscle tissue. It is also essential for the production of niacin, the synthesis of the neurotransmitter serotonin and melatonin. Tryptophan supplements can be used as natural relaxants to help relieve insomnia. Tryptophan can also reduce anxiety and depression and has been shown to reduce the intensity of migraine headaches. Other promising indications include the relief of chronic pain, reduction of impulsivity or mania and the treatment of obsessive or compulsive disorders. Tryptophan also appears to help the immune system and can reduce the risk of cardiac spasms. Tryptophan deficiencies may lead to coronary artery spasms. Tryptophan is used as an essential nutrient in infant formulas and intravenous feeding. Tryptophan is marketed as a prescription drug (Tryptan) for those who do not seem to respond well to conventional antidepressants. It may also be used to treat those afflicted with seasonal affective disorder (a winter-onset depression). Tryptopan serves as the precursor for the synthesis of serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) and melatonin (N-acetyl-5-methoxytryptamine).

Metabolism

Hepatic.