Serotonin (5-Hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) | High Purity USP Grade Pharmaceutical Raw Material

What Is Serotonin (5-Hydroxytryptamine)?

Serotonin, chemically known as 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), is a key monoamine neurotransmitter naturally synthesized in the human gut and brain. Approximately 90% of the body's serotonin is distributed in the digestive tract, with the remainder present in platelets and the central nervous system.

As a multifunctional signaling molecule, serotonin participates in a wide range of physiological and psychological processes, including digestive function regulation, mood modulation, and sleep cycle control as a biological precursor of melatonin. It also interacts with dopamine and norepinephrine to maintain balanced neurotransmitter levels; excessive norepinephrine secretion may inhibit serotonin activity.

Chronic mental and physical stress can lead to reduced endogenous serotonin levels. Research has also linked serotonin to endogenous pain suppression - insufficient serotonin production may lower pain threshold and contribute to the development of chronic pain.

Core Biological Functions & Research Evidence

1. Mood Regulation & Mental Health Support

Serotonin is widely recognized for its central role in regulating mood and emotional stability. It is the core target of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), a mainstream class of mental health formulations that prevent neuronal reabsorption and breakdown of serotonin, thereby increasing available 5-HT levels in the brain to support balanced emotional state.

Scientific research confirms a close correlation between the tryptophan-serotonin pathway and cognitive function, with the gut-brain axis serving as a critical regulatory channel for serotonin-mediated mood and cognitive performance.

2. Digestive & Intestinal Health

As the dominant reservoir of serotonin, the gastrointestinal tract relies on 5-HT to regulate intestinal contraction and peristalsis. Studies have associated abnormal 5-HT levels with intestinal disorders including irritable bowel syndrome. As Professor Damien Keating from the Flinders Institute of Health and Medical Research in Australia noted, gut serotonin primarily functions to regulate intestinal motility and plays diverse roles in gastrointestinal physiology.

3. Sleep Cycle Regulation

As a natural precursor to melatonin, serotonin is involved in regulating the body's circadian rhythm and sleep-wake cycle, supporting healthy sleep patterns and sleep quality.

4. Systemic Physiological Benefits

Modulates pain perception, serving as a key raw material for pain management and migraine-related formulations

Exerts protective effects on cardiovascular function

Demonstrates neuroprotective activity and supports cognitive function maintenance

Serotonin

Items	Specifications	Results	Method
Appearance	White to Off-white Powder	Complies	Visual
Solubility	10mg per mL in water	Complies	Enterprise Standard
IR Identification	Spectrum must conform	Complies	IR
Particle Size	98% through 80 mesh	Complies	USP41
Loss on Drying %	≤ 1.0	0.07	USP <731>
Residue on Ignition%	NMT 0.3	0.08	USP <281>
pH	5.5～6.5	5.32	USP <791>
Heavy Metals ppm	≤ 10	Complies	ICP-MS
Pb ppm	≤ 0.5	Complies	ICP-MS
As ppm	≤ 0.5	Complies	ICP-MS
Cd ppm	≤ 0. 1	Complies	ICP-MS
Hg ppm	≤ 0. 1	Complies	ICP-MS
Assay%	≥ 99.0%	99.83%	HPLC
Purity%	≥ 99.0	Complies	HPLC
Total Impurities%	≤ 0.3	0.13	HPLC
Peak X	Complies	Complies	HPLC
Biobased Carbon%	--	100	AMS
Total Plate Count CFU/g	NMT 1000	＜1	CP2020<1105>
Yeast & Mold CFU/g	NMT 100	＜1	CP2020<1105>
Coliforms CFU/g	NMT 10	＜1	CP2020<1105>
E.Coli.	Negative	ND	CP2020<1106>
Salmonella	Negative	ND	CP2020<1106>
Staphylococcus	Negative	ND	CP2020<1106>
Conclusion	This product complies with USP41 standard.
Remarks	Non-Irradiation Non ETO Treatment Non Excipients GMO Free

Primary Application Fields

1. Pharmaceutical R&D & Production

Raw material for mental health and antidepressant formulation development

Active ingredient for digestive health medications and gastrointestinal disorder therapies

Research material for migraine treatment and pain management drugs

Applied in cardiovascular and neuroprotective drug development

2. Dietary Supplement & Nutraceutical Industry

Functional raw material for mood support and stress relief supplements

Core ingredient for sleep regulation and circadian rhythm support formulations

Applied in gut-brain axis and digestive health supplement products

3. Biotechnology & Laboratory Research

Standard reference material for neuroscience and gastrointestinal physiology research

Cell culture and experimental research reagents

Serotonin benefit

Reference

[1].Jones LA, Sun EW, Martin AM, Keating DJ. The ever-changing roles of serotonin. Int J Biochem Cell Biol. 2020 Aug;125:105776. Accessed 3/21/2022.

[2].Jenkins TA, Nguyen JC, Polglaze KE, Bertrand PP. Influence of tryptophan and serotonin on mood and cognition with a possible role of the gut-brain axis. Nutrients. 2016;8(1):56. doi:10.3390/nu8010056

Serotonin