|
|
 |
Griffonia
simplicifolia |
|
| CHEMICAL
COMPOSITION |
The seeds contain 5 - Hydroxytryptophane. |
| PHARMACOLOGY |
It enhances the
activity of serotonin, a hormone produced by the brain that is
involved in mood, sleep and appetite. Decreased levels of this neurotransmitter has been
associated with depression, insomnia, obsessive/compulsive disorders as well as eating
disorders leading to obesity, or the reverse/bulimia.
In a study employing positron-emission tomography(PET) scanning, eight healthy volunteers
and six people diagnosed with major depression received infusions of radio labelled 5-HTP.
The researchers found that significantly less 5-HTP crossed the blood-brain barrier into
the brains of the depressed subjects than into the brains of the normal controls1.
A significant reduction in anxiety was observed on three different scales designed to
measure anxiety2. In a study of 20 people with panic disorders,
several experienced a feeling of "relief" after receiving 5-HTP. A group of
Italian researchers reported that 20 obese patients taking 5-HTP (900 mg/day) lost a
significant amount of weight, had less carbohydrate intake, and consistently became sated
earlier than a similar group taking a placebo3. |
| THERAPEUTIC
USES |
It alleviates the effects of a variety of
conditions, including depression, anxiety, insomnia and obesity. |
| REFERENCES |
- Agren H, Reibring, L, Hartvig P, et al. Low brain uptake of
L-(IIC) 5-hydroxytryptophan in major depression : Am positron emission
tomography study on patients and healthy volunteers. Acta Psychiatr Scand. 1991: 83;
449-455.
- Kahn RS, Westenberg HGM. L-5-Hydroxytryptophan in the
treatment of anxiety disorders. J Affect Disord. 1985; 8:197-200.
- Cangiano C, Ceci F, Cascino A, et al. Eating behavior and
adherence to dietary prescriptions in obese subjects treated with 5-hydroxytryptophan. Am
J Clin Nutr. 1992; 56:863-868.
|
| SPECIFICATIONS: GRIFFONIA
SIMPLICIFOLIA EXTRACT
General
Information:
| Type of extract |
: |
Dry powder |
| Plant parts used |
: |
Seeds |
| Source |
: |
Wild crafted |
| Shelf life |
: |
24 months unopened |
| Storage |
: |
Keep in a cool, dry
place protected from moisture and heat |
| Active ingredient |
: |
5 - Hydroxytryptophan |
| Method of analysis |
: |
HPLC/HPTLC |
Analytical
Specifications :
| Description |
: |
Pale brown crystals |
| Organoleptic characters |
: |
Pleasant in
taste |
| Loss on drying |
: |
Not more than 16% W/W |
| Lead |
: |
Not more than 10 PPM |
| Arsenic |
: |
Not more than 2 PPM |
| Heavy metals |
: |
Not more than 20 PPM |
| Assay |
|
|
| 5-Hydroxytryptophan content on dry basis by HPLC |
: |
Not less than 95% W/W |
| Microbiological profile |
: |
|
| Total bacterial count |
: |
Not more than 1000 CFU/gm |
| Yeast and moulds |
: |
Not more than 100 CFU/gm |
| E.coli |
: |
Absent |
| S.aureus |
: |
Absent |
| Salmonella typhi |
: |
Absent |
| Pseudomonas aeruginose |
: |
Absent |
|
|
