Melatonin

From the amino acid tryptophan, which becomes serotonin and then melatonin. The pineal gland releases it in the dark; light switches it off.

The two main melatonin receptors. MT1 and MT2 in the brain's master clock read melatonin as a night signal and help set the body's rhythm.

Melatonin is a well-understood hormone that sets the body clock through MT1 and MT2. DSIP is a peptide studied for deep sleep whose receptor has never been found.

Ten sealed vials of freeze-dried melatonin, 10 mg each, all from one batch. One batch report covers all ten.

Keep the sealed vials at -20°C, away from light, which breaks melatonin down. Once mixed, keep it in the fridge, away from light, and use it promptly.

Melatonin ships as a freeze-dried powder in sealed vials, which stays stable at room temperature for the trip. Every order goes out in plain packaging with tracking, and most arrive in 7 to 14 days. Store it in the freezer at -20°C once it arrives. The Certificate of Analysis for the batch we're shipping now is on our lab-results page.

Our Melatonin exceeds >98% purity verified by reverse-phase HPLC demonstrating retention time characteristic of N-acetyl-5-methoxytryptamine (MW 232.28 Da). Each batch undergoes comprehensive quality control: mass spectrometry confirmation of molecular weight validating the indoleamine structure, chemical structure verification via NMR spectroscopy (1H-NMR and 13C-NMR) confirming the N-acetyl group, methoxy substitution on indole ring, and complete tryptamine backbone, UV-Vis spectroscopy showing characteristic absorption maxima (~223 nm, ~278 nm) consistent with melatonin indole chromophore, thin-layer chromatography (TLC) or HPLC comparison with authentic melatonin standard confirming identity, functional bioassays measuring biological activity including MT1/MT2 receptor binding assays using radioligand binding (³H-melatonin or ¹²⁵I-melatonin) in membrane preparations from cells/tissues expressing MT1 and MT2 receptors determining binding affinity (Ki typically low nanomolar range: MT1 Ki ~80-200 pM, MT2 Ki ~150-300 pM) validating receptor engagement, cAMP inhibition assays in MT1/MT2-expressing cells demonstrating melatonin dose-dependently reduces forskolin-stimulated cAMP (Gi-coupled receptor function) with EC50 quantification, circadian phase-shifting assays in cultured SCN neurons or SCN explants measuring clock gene (Per2, Bmal1) expression rhythms showing melatonin causes phase advances/delays depending on timing validating circadian activity, antioxidant capacity assays including DPPH radical scavenging, ABTS radical scavenging, hydroxyl radical scavenging, or lipid peroxidation inhibition assays demonstrating melatonin's direct antioxidant activity with IC50/EC50 quantification, cell viability assays showing melatonin protects cells from oxidative stress (H2O2, paraquat) or other insults, melting point determination (~117°C for pure melatonin), solubility testing (melatonin is lipophilic, soluble in ethanol, DMSO, oils; sparingly soluble in water requiring solubilization strategies), optical rotation if applicable, endotoxin testing (<0.1 EU/mg), and comprehensive Certificate of Analysis. Stereochemistry note: Melatonin has no chiral centers, existing as single form (unlike tryptophan or serotonin precursors). Photostability: Melatonin is light-sensitive; quality control includes protection from light during synthesis, purification, and storage, with verification that degradation products (from UV/light exposure) are minimal (<1%).