Phototoxic activity

Serious side-effects have been associated with the important psychotherapeutic agent, chlorpromazine (358), almost since its introduction. High sensitivity to sunburn, pigmentation of the skin and ocular opacity are common phototoxic effects [ 196]. In a series of phenothiazines, the chloro-substituted compounds, particularly chlorpromazine, prochlorperazine and perphenazine, showed by far the greatest phototoxic activity [197, 198]. 

No advantages over other tetracyclines as anti-infective higher incidence of phototoxicity active against water intoxication and SIADH... 

Numerous chromenes and benzofurans have also been Isolated from Flourensla, a genus that Is dominant In the desert of Chihuahua, Mexico. A benzofuran (XV) with a cinnamic acid moiety from F. dentata and F. lllclfolla has recently been shown to be extremely toxic to milk weed bugs and highly phototoxic (28). Approximately 30 chromenes and benzofurans have been Isolated from other desert sunflowers and we are currently screening them for Insecticidal and phototoxic activity. 

The fractionation of citrus oil is an important subject in perfume industry. Citrus oil consists of terpenes (over 95 %), oxygenated compounds (less than 5 %), waxes, and pigments. Terpenes must be removed to stabilize the products and to dissolve it in aqueous solution. Terpenes are conventionally removed by distillation or solvent extraction, which involves higher temperature process resulting in thermal degradation of essential oil. Furthermore, nonvolatils such as waxes and pigments must be eliminated because of turbidity in the oil and phototoxic activity [1-2]. 

In sensitization tests with fragrance raw materials, several volunteers that tested positive to patch tests with a fragrance mix also tested positive to lime extract (Roesyanto-Mahadi et al. 1990). Lime essential oil demonstrated phototoxic activity in human patch tests (Opdyke 1979). 

Over 400 species of tropical plants from 76 families were assayed for phototoxic activity. Furanocoumarins, an important class of phototoxins, were identified from three genera of the Moraceae (fig family). Dorstenia. an herbaceous member of this family, was particularly rich in these metabolites. The distribution of furanocoumarins in the Moraceae as well as evolutionary and ecological aspects are discussed. 

Distribution of phototoxic activity in extracts of various members of the Moraceae. 

Genus species assayed species with phototoxic activity ... 

Bitter orange oil is reported to have distinct phototoxic activity, while none is reported for expressed sweet orange oil even though both oils contain coumarins (see lime oil) ... 

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