Quantification of melatonin in soya lecithin transferosomes by a validated UV–visible spectrophotometric method and in silico toxicity assessment

Abstract Phytoconstituents exhibit various effects, including antidiabetic, anticancer, cardioprotective, antioxidant, neuroprotective, and anti-infective effects. Across all the phytoconstituents, melatonin (MLT) has several beneficial effects. Basically, melatonin is secreted by the pineal gland. It is also available in most plants and plays key roles as a free radical scavenger, a potential agent for adjuvant therapy in cancer, a regulator of circadian rhythm, a management of insomnia (maintenance of the sleep cycle), an immunomodulatory agent, an anti-inflammatory agent, and more. Due to its low oral solubility, soya lecithin nanovesicles can help enhance its bioavailability. But detecting melatonin in nanovesicles is challenging. So, here we developed and validated a UV–visible spectrophotometric method for detecting melatonin in the nanovesicles. The method was developed in a buffer at a pH of 7.4. At a wavelength of 278 nm and over a concentration range of 6–36 µg mL –1 , the coefficient of determination was 1.0, confirming linearity. The method was also demonstrated to be precise, sensitive, robust, reproducible, and accurate. In silico toxicity predicted respiratory toxicity (84 %) and BBB toxicity (84 %). This analytical method can be used to predict MLT in nanostructured products, large-dose forms, and various pharmaceutical preparations.