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psoralen
Psoralens belong to the furocoumarin class of compounds derived from fusion of furan with a coumarin. They occur naturally in plants including limes, lemons, figs & parsnips.
Uses:
4 psoralens are used in PUVA therapy:
1) psoralen
2) 5-methoxypsoralen (bergapten)
3) 8-methoxypsoralen (methoxsalen)
4) 4,5,8-trimethylpsoralen (trioxsalen)
Comparative biology:
- possible association of psoralen in citrus fruit (orange juice & grapefruit) with increased risk of cutaneous melanoma [2]
- psoralen has photocarcinogenic properties in animals [2]
Notes:
- only methoxsalen & trioxsalen are available in the U.S.
- methoxsalen is the primary psoralen used
Specific
bergapten; 5-methoxypsoralen
methoxsalen; 8-methoxypsoralen
trioxsalen; 4,5,8-trimethylpsoralen (Trisoralen)
General
heterocyclic compound, 3 rings
oral dermatologic agent
photosensitizing agent (photosensitizer)
Properties
Database Correlations
PUBCHEM cid=6199
References
- The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics, 9th ed.
Gilman et al, eds. Permagon Press/McGraw Hill, 1996 pg 1609
- Wu S, Han J, Feskanich D et al
Citrus Consumption and Risk of Cutaneous Malignant Melanoma.
JCO published online on June 29, 2015
PMID: 26124488
http://jco.ascopubs.org/content/early/2015/06/24/JCO.2014.57.4111.abstract
- Berwick M
Dietary Advice for Melanoma: Not Ready for Prime Time.
JCO published online on June 29, 2015
PMID: 26124491
http://jco.ascopubs.org/content/early/2015/06/24/JCO.2015.61.8116.full
Component-of
oral psoralen & ultraviolet (UV) A light (PUVA)