EndocrinoDerm
M.V. MSc. Alexandre Bastos Baptista & M.V. Rafaela Nunes
Endocrinologia e Dermatologia Veterinária
Ética, Ciência e Inovação
PROBLEMAS COM AS MARCAS AMERICANAS DE MELATONINA
Em novo estudo, publicado em fevereiro de 2017, 31 marcas norte americanas de Melatonina foram analisadas com resultados assustadores. Saiba mais neste artigo:
A Melatonina é vendida como suplemento alimentar nos EUA, não sendo sujeita aos mesmos controles e fiscalização que medicamentos.
Muito utilizada no tratamento da Alopecia X, é comum que utilizemos as marcas americanas, tendo em vista a proibição, até ano passado, da fabricação e comercialização no Brasil.
Este estudo, entretanto, mostrou problemas sérios com as marcas americanas. A miligramagem de Melatonina variou de -81% a +478% ao indicado nos rótulos! Além disto a presença de Serotonina (substância controlada com efeitos neurológicos) foi encontrada em 8 marcas. Também foi identificada variação de 465% na quantidade de melatonina dentro das mesmas marcas em lotes diferentes!
Neste momento estou optando pela prescrição do produto manipulado em farmácias de confiança.
Leia o Resumo abaixo:
J Clin Sleep Med. 2017 Feb 15;13(2):275-281. doi: 10.5664/jcsm.6462.
Melatonin Natural Health Products and Supplements: Presence of Serotonin and Significant Variability of Melatonin Content.
Erland LA, Saxena PK.
Abstract
STUDY OBJECTIVES:
Melatonin is an important neurohormone, which mediates circadian rhythms and the sleep cycle. As such, it is a popular and readily available supplement for the treatment and prevention of sleep-related disorders including insomnia and jet lag. This study quantified melatonin in 30 commercial supplements, comprising different brands and forms and screened supplements for the presence of serotonin.
METHODS:
A total of 31 supplements were analyzed by ultraperformance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection for quantification of melatonin and serotonin. Presence of serotonin was confirmed through analysis by ultraperformance liquid chromatography with mass spectrometry detection.
RESULTS:
Melatonin content was found to range from -83% to +478% of the labelled content. Additionally, lot-to-lot variable within a particular product varied by as much as 465%. This variability did not appear to be correlated with manufacturer or product type. Furthermore, serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine), a related indoleamine and controlled substance used in the treatment of several neurological disorders, was identified in eight of the supplements at levels of 1 to 75 μg.
CONCLUSIONS:
Melatonin content did not meet label within a 10% margin of the label claim in more than 71% of supplements and an additional 26% were found to contain serotonin. It is important that clinicians and patients have confidence in the quality of supplements used in the treatment of sleep disorders. To address this, manufacturers require increased controls to ensure melatonin supplements meet both their label claim, and also are free from contaminants, such as serotonin.
COMMENTARY:
A commentary on this article appears in this issue on page 163.
KEYWORDS:
contaminant; degradation; label claim; natural health product; stability
PMID:
27855744
PMCID:
[Available on 2017-08-15]
DOI: