Chemicals and Drugs

Melatonin

A biogenic amine that is found in animals and plants. In mammals, melatonin is produced by the PINEAL GLAND. Its secretion increases in darkness and decreases during exposure to light. Melatonin is implicated in the regulation of SLEEP, mood, and REPRODUCTION. Melatonin is also an effective antioxidant.

National Library of MedicineMedical Subject Headings2026

Structured Summary

Abstract

A biogenic amine that is found in animals and plants. In mammals, melatonin is produced by the PINEAL GLAND. Its secretion increases in darkness and decreases during exposure to light. Melatonin is implicated in the regulation of SLEEP, mood, and REPRODUCTION. Melatonin is also an effective antioxidant.

Chemical Identity

Chemical Information

Molecular Formula
C13H16N2O2
Molecular Weight
232.28 g/mol
CAS Registry No.
73-31-4
IUPAC Name
N-[2-(5-methoxy-1H-indol-3-yl)ethyl]acetamide
InChIKey
DRLFMBDRBRZALE-UHFFFAOYSA-N
SMILES
CC(=O)NCCC1=CNC2=C1C=C(C=C2)OC
MeSH Unique ID
D008550
Source
PubChem CID 896

MeSH Record

Classification

Broader headings

Related Concepts

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Drug Class

Pharmacological Action

MeSH Record

Aspects Covered

29 allowable subheadings

Indexed with the subheadings administration & dosage, adverse effects, agonists, analogs & derivatives, analysis, antagonists & inhibitors, biosynthesis, blood, cerebrospinal fluid, chemical synthesis, chemistry, classification, deficiency, economics, genetics, history, immunology, isolation & purification, metabolism, pharmacokinetics, pharmacology, physiology, poisoning, radiation effects, standards, supply & distribution, therapeutic use, toxicity, urine.

MeSH Record

History Note

68(65)

MeSH Hierarchy

Tree Numbers

  1. D03w.633.100.473.914w.481w
  2. D06.472w.506w

AMA Style

References

  1. National Library of Medicine. Melatonin. Medical Subject Headings (MeSH). 2026. Unique ID D008550. http://id.nlm.nih.gov/mesh/2026/D008550
  2. Melatonin. In: Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melatonin
  3. Melatonin. In: Wikidata. https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q180912
  4. Melatonin. In: PubChem Compound. CID 896. https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/896