A number of amino acids are known to help regulate neurotransmitter function. Some of these such as l-tyrosine and l-tryptophan can be direct precursors to neurotransmitters, whilst other amino acids such as GABA and l-glutamate act as neurotransmitters themselves. Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum graecum) is a source of the amino acid 4-hydroxyisoleucine, an amino acid that may play a role in regulating mood in animals and humans. 4-hydroxyisoleucine is structurally similar to the branched chain amino acids, but is only found in fenugreek seeds. It is known that isoleucine and leucine, two of the branched chain amino acids synthesised by mammals, are able to regulate serotonin synthesis, and therefore may play a role in mood. Levels of both isoleucine and leucine drop significantly during depression. In mice, 4-hydroxyisoleucine has been shown to enhance serotonin turnover when the mice are exposed to experimental stress, and to provide concomitant antidepressant effects.
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The structure of 4-hydroxyisoleucine.
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