by Erowid
November 22, 2001
5-HTP appears to work as an antioxidant, as well as being a precursor to
serotonin. 5-HTP's hydroxy (OH) group differentiates it from L-Tryptophan,
an essential amino acid. Oxidation of 5-HTP would likely lead to the
OH group being severed and the molecule becoming L-Tryptophan, thus the
immediate oxidative product of 5-HTP is likely also not toxic.
There is some direct evidence from laboratory research showing 5-HTP functions as an antioxidant. Researchers have demonstrated that 5-HTP can scavenge Nitrc Oxide (NO), peroxide radicals, and other oxidative radicals directly.
References:
There is some direct evidence from laboratory research showing 5-HTP functions as an antioxidant. Researchers have demonstrated that 5-HTP can scavenge Nitrc Oxide (NO), peroxide radicals, and other oxidative radicals directly.
References:
- "Inhibition of free radical processes by antioxidants--tryptophan and 5-hydroxytryptophan."
Simic MG, al-Sheikhly M, Jovanovic SV. Bibl Nutr Dieta 1989;(43):288-96
Pub Med - No Abstract
- "Melatonin and its precursors scavenge nitric oxide."
Noda Y, Mori A, Liburdy R, Packer L. J Pineal Res 1999 Oct;27(3):159-63
Pub Med Abstract
"Serotonin, N-acetyl-5-hydroxytryptamine, and 5-hydroxytryptophan, respectively, showed moderate scavenging activity compared to melatonin. Tryptophan, which has neither a methoxy nor a hydroxyl group in the 5-position, exhibited the least NO scavenging activity."
- "Serotonin protects NK cells against oxidatively induced functional inhibition and apoptosis."
Betten A, Dahlgren C, Hermodsson S, Hellstrand K. J Leukoc Biol 2001 Jul;70(1):65-72
Pub Med Abstract"A detailed analysis of these protective effects revealed that serotonin scavenged reactive oxygen species (ROS) derived from the H(2)O(2)-myeloperoxidase (-MPO) system. Serotonin shared this scavenger activity with its precursor, 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP); however, serotonin was >10-fold more potent than 5-HTP in protecting NK cells against functional inhibition and apoptosis.