title: Furocoumarin photolysis: chemical and biological aspects.
abstract: Furocoumarins (psoralens) undergo photolysis when subjected to UVA radiation in solution. Several products are formed, depending on the molecular structure and experimental conditions. Some products are the result of anoxic mechanisms (cyclodimerisation, addition of solvent), others of oxic pathways, leading to oxidised products. The mechanisms thought to underlie photolysis are described and the possible biological relevance of the photoproducts and intermediates is discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Padova, Via F. Marzolo 5, I-35131 Padova, Italy. sergio.caffieri@unipd.it
authors.forename: Sergio
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Caffieri
mesh_terms: D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D011564:Furocoumarins / Q000737:chemistry*; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D010782:Photolysis; D013056:Spectrophotometry, Ultraviolet
chemical_list: D011564:Furocoumarins