English Name: Melatonin
CAS NO: 73-31-4; Molecular formula:C13H16N2O2
Melatonin is an indole heterocyclic compound. After synthesis, melatonin is stored in the pineal gland. Sympathetic excitation controls the pineal gland cells to release melatonin. The secretion of melatonin has obvious circadian rhythm, which is inhibited during the day and active at night. Melatonin can inhibit the hypothalamus pituitary gonadal axis, reduce the contents of gonadotropin releasing hormone, gonadotropin, luteinizing hormone and follicular estrogen, and act directly on the gonad to reduce the contents of androgen, estrogen and progesterone. In addition, melatonin has strong neuroendocrine immunoregulation activity and scavenging free radical antioxidant capacity, which may become a new antiviral therapy. Melatonin is ultimately metabolized in the liver, and the damage of hepatocytes can affect the level of melatonin in the body.