title: Caffeine as a photoprotective agent for diminishing phototoxicity.
abstract: Skin whitening with Chinese herbal medicine has been used in ancient Asia. However, phototoxicity of the active ingredient limits the application. The modified comet assay was used in the current study to detect DNA crosslinking induced by phototoxicity. Result showed that caffeine at 5 µmol/L was able to reduce 5-methoxypsoralen-induced phototoxicity with ultraviolet C (UVC) exposure.
authors.affiliation: Macau Institute for Applied Research in Medicine and Health, Macau University of Science and Technology Foundation, Avenida Wai Long, Taipa, Macau SAR, PR China. savio.yim.tong.szeto@inet.polyu.edu.hk
authors.forename: Yim Tong
authors.initials: YT
authors.lastname: Szeto
authors.forename: Henry H Y
authors.initials: HH
authors.lastname: Tong
mesh_terms: D000078223:5-Methoxypsoralen; D002110:Caffeine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D020552:Comet Assay; D004249:DNA Damage; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D006801:Humans; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects; D008730:Methoxsalen / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000633:toxicity; D017319:Photosensitizing Agents / Q000633:toxicity*; D020011:Protective Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D017319:Photosensitizing Agents; D020011:Protective Agents; D002110:Caffeine; D000078223:5-Methoxypsoralen; D008730:Methoxsalen