Melatonin, mimic

To mimic melatonin action and increase the half-life is the goal of melatonin receptor agonists, which are the more recent addition to the insomnia therapeutic armamentarium. These compounds, in addition to use for insomnia, may have potential application in the synchronization of disturbed circadian rhythms, sleep disturbances in the elderly, seasonal depression and jet lag, to name a few. Furthermore, studies have shown that melatonin receptor agonists do not induce any of the hypothermic, hypotensive or bradycardic effects caused by melatonin in humans [27,28]. 

Ramelteon (Rozerem). Recently approved by the FDA for treatment of insomnia in the US, ramelteon acts via a completely novel mechanism of action, that is, stimulating so-called melatonin Ti and T2 receptors in the brain s suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN). The SCN is regarded as the body s master clock that regulates the sleep-wake cycle and other circadian rhythms. The effects of ramelteon in some respects mimic those of melatonin. Ramelteon, in clinical trials, administered at bedtime doses of 8 mg, outperformed placebo with respect to several indices of sleep disturbance (see Table 9.4). 

Melatonin N-acetyl-5- methoxytryptamine Manufactured synthetically to mimic the endogenous hormone Sedative-hypnotic regulate sleep-wake cycles used in various other conditions because of antioxidant and immunomodulating effects... 

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