Psoralen

Chemical properties

Crystalline Solid

The Uses of Psoralen

Psoralens are phytoalexins; they are used by plants in a defensive response to attacks by fungi and insects. They have also shown photosensitizing and phototoxic effects in animals and humans and have been used in photochemotherapy for management of vitiligo, psoriasis, and mycosis fungoides. Used as photochemical probe in biological systems.

The Uses of Psoralen

Use as photochemical probe in biological systems

The Uses of Psoralen

As photochemical probe in biological systems: P.-S. Song, C.-N. Ou, Ann. N.Y. Acad. Sci. 346, 355 (1980).

What are the applications of Application

Psoralen is a photochemical probe in studies of DNA mutation and repair mechanisms

Definition

ChEBI: The simplest member of the class of psoralens that is 7H-furo[3,2-g]chromene having a keto group at position 7. It has been found in plants like Psoralea corylifolia and Ficus salicifolia.

Synthesis Reference(s)

Journal of the American Chemical Society, 106, p. 6735, 1984 DOI: 10.1021/ja00334a044
Synthetic Communications, 37, p. 63, 2007 DOI: 10.1080/00397910600978093

Biochem/physiol Actions

Psoralen belongs to the linear type furanocoumarins. It intercalates and induces interstrand cross-links in DNA. On UV exposure psoralen is excited leading to irreversible intercalation with DNA by covalent bond formation. This property of psoralen ultraviolet A light (PUVA) is exploited in treating skin diseases and cutaneous T-cell lymphoma. However, usage psoralen also leads to hepatotoxicity and cytotoxicity by the generation of psoralen photoproducts (POPs). It may be useful in treating osteoporosis