title: Allergenic sesquiterpene lactones from cushion bush (Leucophyta brownii Cass.): new and old sensitizers in a shrub-turned-a-pot plant.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The Australian cushion bush (Leucophyta brownii) of the Compositae family of plants has become a popular pot and container plant. The plant produces the sesquiterpene lactone allergen calocephalin.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To assess the sensitizing potential of sesquiterpene lactones from cushion bush.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eleven Compositae-sensitive patients were patch tested with seven sesquiterpene lactones isolated from cushion bush.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Six of seven sesquiterpene lactones elicited positive reactions in 4 of 11 patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The well-known sesquiterpene lactone pseudoivalin and its derivative pseudoivalin acetate, as well as calocephalin and tomentosin, were confirmed to be sensitizers, whereas leucophytalin A and 4α-hydroxy-5αH,10αH-1,11(13)-guaidien-8β,12-olide were shown to be allergenic for the first time. The patch test reaction patterns seem to follow the chemical patterns, which may eventually make it possible to trace primary sensitizers and advise patients more precisely.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology and Allergy Centre, Odense University Hospital, University of Southern Denmark, 5000 Odense C, Denmark.
authors.forename: Evy
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Paulsen
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemical Engineering, Biotechnology and Environmental Technology, University of Southern Denmark, 5230 Odense M, Denmark.|Hygade ApS, 5610 Assens, Denmark.
authors.forename: Mette G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Hyldgaard
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology and Allergy Centre, Odense University Hospital, University of Southern Denmark, 5000 Odense C, Denmark.|Centre for Innovative Medical Technology, Institute for Clinical Research and Odense University Hospital, University of Southern Denmark, 5000 Odense C, Denmark.|Dermatological Investigations Scandinavia, Institute of Clinical Research and Odense University Hospital, University of Southern Denmark, 5000 Odense C, Denmark.
authors.forename: Klaus E
authors.initials: KE
authors.lastname: Andersen
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology and Allergy Centre, Odense University Hospital, University of Southern Denmark, 5000 Odense C, Denmark.|Dermatological Investigations Scandinavia, Institute of Clinical Research and Odense University Hospital, University of Southern Denmark, 5000 Odense C, Denmark.
authors.forename: Flemming
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Andersen
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemical Engineering, Biotechnology and Environmental Technology, University of Southern Denmark, 5230 Odense M, Denmark.
authors.forename: Lars P
authors.initials: LP
authors.lastname: Christensen
mesh_terms: D000485:Allergens / Q000009:adverse effects*; D017449:Dermatitis, Allergic Contact / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010328:Patch Tests / Q000379:methods; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000009:adverse effects*; D045789:Sesquiterpenes, Guaiane / Q000009:adverse effects*
chemical_list: D000485:Allergens; D010936:Plant Extracts; D045789:Sesquiterpenes, Guaiane; C586418:calocephalin
keywords: Asteraceae; Compositae; calocephalin; cushion bush: Leucophyta brownii; leucophytalin A; pseudoivalin; tomentosin