Polysaccharide-mediated synthesis of melanins from serotonin and other 5-hydroxy indoles

As a continuation of our research on the melanin formation from catecholamines, we studied the polysaccharide-mediated oxidation of serotonin and other 5-hydroxy indoles into melanin-like materials. As for the catecholamines, we observed that many polysaccharides promote the oxidation of such compounds, particularly in the presence of Cu2+. The reactions were monitored using RP-HPLC and SEC techniques. Melanin-like materials were purified through dialysis and evaluated using UV_Vis and FT_IR spectroscopic techniques. One such material, synthesized from chondroitin sulfate type A and serotonin in the presence of Cu2+ was found to affect the release of IL-l{beta} and IL-6 cytokines from immune cells.