Psoralen

• 7H- furo [3,2 -g] benzopyran- 7-one
• 6- hydroxy-5- benzofuranacrylsäure - δ -lactone
• Ficusin

Colorless crystals

Fixed

163-164 ° C

Soluble in ethanol, acetonitrile, well in water (1930 g · l -1)

Attention

Template: Infobox chemical / molecular formula search available

Psoralen is the base of a group of natural substances, which is found in the essential oils of various plants. The basic structure corresponds coumarin with an added furan ring.

Occurrence

Psoralen occurs in the Asian legume Psoralea corylifolia and in more than 20 plant species, such as limonene, before Angelica ( Angelica ) and clove.

Use

Psoralens are higher plants as repellents against insect damage and fungal attack. In chemistry, it is used to study the structure and function of nucleic acids. Some studies with this compound have shown a better course in multiple sclerosis. Psoralen inhibits potassium transport and nerve fibers may, if they are not completely interrupted, make conductive again. The required dose is about 20 mg per day. Psoralens are used in methods for pathogen inactivation of platelet concentrates from apheresis and pooled buffy coats of whole blood donations.

Hazards

Psoralen is the basic substance of the linear furanocoumarins, including bergapten and xanthotoxin belong. As this has psoralen 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.

Medical use

For the above reasons, psoralen together with long-wave UV light ( " psoralen plus UVA ", abbreviated PUVA ) can be used as a form of photoactivated chemotherapy for the treatment of psoriasis, vitiligo, mastocytosis, lichen planus and other diseases.