Oxitriptan

**Semantic type:** Pharmacologic Substance

**Definition:** An aromatic amino acid with antidepressant activity. In vivo, oxitriptan (or 5-hydroxytryptophan) is converted into 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT or serotonin) as well as other neurotransmitters. Oxitriptan may exert its antidepressant activity via conversion to serotonin or directly by binding to serotonin (5-HT) receptors within the central nervous system (CNS). Endogenous oxitriptan is produced from the essential amino acid L-tryptophan. The exogenous therapeutic form is isolated from the seeds of the African plant Griffonia simplicifolia.

**Synonyms:** - 2-Amino-3-(5-hydroxy-1-H-indol-3-yl)propionic Acid - 5-HTP - 5-Hydroxytryptophan - L-5-Hydroxytryptophan - Levothym - OXITRIPTAN - Oxyfan - Pretonine - Quietim - Serotonyl - Telesol