5-hydroxy-l-tryptophan (5-HTP) is a chemical byproduct of the protein building block L-tryptophan. It is produced commercially from the seeds of an African plant known as Griffonia simplicifolia. In vivo, it is produced from tryptophan by tryptophan hydroxylase (TPH), and its decarboxylation yields serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT), a monoamine neurotransmitter involved in the modulation of mood, cognition, reward, learning, memory, sleep, and numerous other physiological processes. 5-HTP is both a drug and a natural component of some dietary supplements, and occurrence in both synthetic tryptophan and 5-HTP of toxic impurities has caused eosinophilia myalgia syndrome cases[1].
5-hydroxy-l-tryptophan is metabolized into serotonin and is thought to alleviate depression by enhancing serotonin neurotransmission. It is also used to treat fibromyalgia, insomnia, binge-eating, attention deficit disorder, and chronic headaches.
[1] Maffei, Massimo E. "5-Hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP): Natural Occurrence, Analysis, Biosynthesis, Biotechnology, Physiology and Toxicology." International Journal of Molecular Sciences 22.1(2021):181.
