Pineamin Increases Melatonin Synthesis in Pineal Gland of Elderly People

Abstract

The effect of a pineal gland polypeptide complex, Pineamin, on urine excretion of 6-sulfatoxymelatonin (6-SOMT) was investigated by immunoenzyme assay in 55 elderly patients with decreased melatonin formation. Pineamin at a dose of 100 mg increased the level of 6-SOMT excretion in overnight urine by 1.9 times in comparison with the respective indicator before the treatment. A similar effect was previously obtained upon the administration of Epitalamin, which also facilitated the restoration of melatonin synthesis in human and animal pineal glands affected by aging. Hence, Pineamin and Epitalamin exhibit a one-directional stimulating property with respect to the melatonin-forming function of the pineal gland in elderly people.