Studies on curcumin and curcuminoids. IX: Investigation of the photobiological activity of curcumin using bacterial indicator systems.
The dye curcumin is a natural, nontoxic food constituent. On irradiation with visible light, curcumin proves to be phototoxic for Salmonella typhimurium and Escherichia coli, even at very low concentrations. The observed phototoxicity makes curcumin a potential photosensitizing drug which might find application in the phototherapy of, for example, psoriasis, cancer, and bacterial and viral diseases.
Tønnesen
H H
HH
Institute of Pharmacy, University of Oslo, Norway.
de Vries
H
H
Karlsen
J
J
Beijersbergen van Henegouwen
G
G
D002396:Catechols / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003474:Curcumin / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000528:radiation effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000187:drug effects; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000235:genetics; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D006868:Hydrolysis; D008027:Light; D010778:Photochemotherapy; D012486:Salmonella typhimurium / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000235:genetics
D002396:Catechols; D004269:DNA, Bacterial; D003474:Curcumin