Description
5-hydroxytryptophol is a neuromodulatory analog of serotonin and melatonin found in the needles of the Pinus sylvestris tree, wine, and beer, and is also the sleep-inducing component of the ‘sleeping sickness’ initially produced by the Trypanosoma brucei parasite. This compound is often used as a biomarker for recent alcohol consumption is it remains in the body much longer than ethanol. 5-hydroxytryptophol exudes some hypnotic activity, inducing a short-lived sleep state, and marginal antioxidative properties, inhibiting oxidation of LDL in a developmental atherosclerosis model.