title: Spectroscopic characterization of bendazac and benzydamine: possible photochemical modes of action.
abstract: The involvement of near-UV light in cataract development suggests that potential anti-cataract drugs may display unusual spectroscopic properties. As bendazac impedes certain effects associated with lens opacification, we have characterized the singlet and triplet states of bendazac and its analog, benzydamine, by fluorescence and phosphorescence methods. These compounds have much shorter triplet state lifetimes compared to the triplet state lifetimes observed in proteins. Our results raise the possibility that the photoprotective action of these compounds may result from their ability to dissipate energy through the triplet state. We propose alternative modes for the photoprotective actions of these compounds.
authors.affiliation: Johnson Research Foundation, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia 19104, USA.
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Jez
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Vanderkooi
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Laties
mesh_terms: D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000737:chemistry*; D001591:Benzydamine / Q000737:chemistry*; D007191:Indazoles / Q000737:chemistry*; D010777:Photochemistry; D013050:Spectrometry, Fluorescence
chemical_list: D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D007191:Indazoles; D001591:Benzydamine; C000123:bendazac