Methoxsalen

• 9 -methoxy- 7H- furo [3,2 -g] benzopyran- 7-one
• 8- methoxypsoralen (8- MOP)

• D05AD02
• D05BA02

Colorless needles or prisms, tastes bitter with a tingling aftertaste

Photosensitizer

Fixed

148 ° C.

Soluble in acetone, boiling alcohol; slightly soluble in hot water, ethers

Risk

Template: Infobox chemical / molecular formula search available

Xanthotoxin is a natural substance found in the essential oils of various plants. Xanthotoxin is a substance from the group of psoralens, which in turn are expected to coumarins.

Occurrence

Xanthotoxin is found in the African tree Fagara xanthoxyloides and in various umbelliferous plants such as angelica, bergamot, parsnip and giant hogweed.

Clinical information

Areas of application (indications )

The drug is used in some skin diseases (eg psoriasis). Can simultaneously be irradiated with long-wave UV light. In such a case one speaks of the PUVA therapy.

Hazards

Xanthotoxin is toxic to cold-blooded animals. As the chemically related Bergapten has Xanthotoxin as a linear furanocoumarin photosensitizing properties, ie it sensitizes the skin to sunlight and UV radiation. Due to the strong substance inflammation and sunburn are caused when exposed to light. This Xanthotoxin also damages the DNA of skin cells, so that long-term damage such as cancer can be the result.

Trade names

Meladinine (D, CH), Oxsoralen (A), UVADEX (D, A, CH)