Purification of melatonin from herbal sources and evaluation in pharmaceutical form

Melatonin (MEL) has attracted increasing scientific interest worldwide in recent years. MEL, also known as N-acetyl-5-methoxy tryptamine (C13H16N2O2), is a natural hormone that can be synthesized primarily by the pineal gland of vertebrates and secondarily by other tissues and organs. After the discovery that MEL, previously known only as an animal hormone, also exists in plants, numerous studies have been conducted on this molecule and it has been revealed that it has similar functions in plants as in animals. Research on bioactive compounds found naturally in edible plants in particular is very important in terms of nutrition and health and more studies are needed. In this context, MEL extraction was performed with solvents selected according to the literature from dried forms of Linden (Tilia tomentosa Moench), Chamomile (Matricaria recutita L.), Melissa (Melissa officinalis L.), Stevia (Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni), Sage (Salvia officinalis L.) and St. John's Wort (Hypericum perforatum L.) plants, MEL amounts in the extracts were calculated by HPLC-UV. In the Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni) plant with the highest yield, melatonin was purified and characterized by LC-MS. To evaluate the purified MEL in pharmaceutical form, a soft tablet form was selected, and characterization analyses were conducted. In summary vegetable-based from melatonin(phto-melatonin) was designed and successfully completed in gummy formulation.