Indole-3-Pyruvic Acid as a Possible Hypnotic Agent in Insomniac Subjects

Abstract

In a single-blind study six male patients (mean age 39.5 years) with moderate insomnia were treated with placebo for three nights, 100 mg indole-3-pyruvic acid (IPA) for three nights, 200 mg IPA for three nights, 100 mg IPA for two nights and placebo for two nights. Polygraphic recordings were made and total sleep time, sleep efficiency, sleep latency, slow wave sleep latency, rapid eye movement (REM) sleep latency, number of arousals (greater than 1 min), percentage and duration of wakefulness after sleep onset, percentage and duration of wakefulness after sleep onset, percentage and duration of sleep stages 1, 2, 3, 4 and REM were recorded. At the end of 13 days, total sleep time, duration of stage 2 sleep and total non-REM were significantly increased when compared with baseline. Total sleep time and duration of stage 2 and total non-REM sleep on completion were significantly decreased when compared with after 200 mg IPA (night 9). Results suggest an action of IPA on human sleep similar to that of exogenous melatonin and L-tryptophan, thus confirming that IPA could be used to increase serotonin and melatonin turnover.

Analyses of Indole Compounds in Sugar Cane (Saccharum officinarum L.) Juice by High Performance Liquid Chromatography and Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry after Solid-Phase Extraction

“…The presence of IPA in sugar cane juice can partly confirm the relationship between IAA and IPA. In addition, as IPA has medically useful properties such as bringing relief from anxiety and insomnia [13][14][15][16], sugar cane juice may be a good beverage for people who suffer from sleep related problems. The presence of 3-acetylindole and indole-2-carboxylic acid may provide more potential usage of sugar cane juice besides being the main ingredient for the sugar industry.…”

Effects of three doses of 3-indole pyruvic acid on subjective and objective measures of sleep and early morning performance

“…A preliminary study with IPA (Silvesteri et al, 1991) suggests an action of IPA on human sleep similar to that of exogenous L-tryptophan. Administration of L-tryptophan has been shown to induce slow wave sleep (stages 3 and 4), and to contribute to the production of rapid eye movement sleep (Pastel and Fernstrom, 1987).…”

Pharmacotherapy of insomnia: Practice and prospects

“…Indole-3-pyruvic acid can increase serotonin and melatonin turnover and has been found to induce positive effects on sleep [50]. A more physiological mechanism of action than that of currently applied hypnotics has not been unequivocally demonstrated.…”