Definition
A naturally occurring furocoumarin, found in PSORALEA. After photoactivation with UV radiation, it binds DNA via single and double-stranded cross-linking.
Found in common vegetables, e.g. parsnip, celery esp. if diseased or `spoiled' Psoralen is a significant mutagen and is used for this purpose in molecular biology research.
Description
Psoralen is found in carrot. Psoralen is found in common vegetables, e.g. parsnip, celery especially if diseased or `spoiled' Psoralen is a significant mutagen and is used for this purpose in molecular biology research. Psoralen has been shown to exhibit anti-proliferative, anti-allergenic and anti-histamine functions (A7781, A7782, A7782). Psoralen belongs to the family of Furanocoumarins. These are polycyclic aromatic compounds containing a furan ring fused to a coumarin moeity.
Top Gene Interactions
Related Pathways
Ficusin Health Effects
- Anti depressant
- Anti leukodermic
- Anti mitotic
- Anti psoriac
- Anti spasmodic
- Anti tubercular
- Antitumor
- Anti viral
- Artemicide
- Bacteriophagicide
- Calcium antagonist
- Cancer preventive
- Contraceptive
- Cytotoxic
- Fungicide
- Genotoxic
- Hypotensive
- Insecticide
- Monoamine-oxidase-A inhibitor
- Monoamine-oxidase-B inhibitor
- Pesticide
- Photocarcinogenic
- Phototoxic
- Phytoalexin
- Topoisomerase-II inhibitor
- Anti mutagenic
- Antitumor promoter
- Mutagenic
General Information
- Uses/Sources: Anthelmintics, cross-linking reagent, photosensitising agent. Photochemical reagent for the investigation of nucleic acid structure and function. (L579)
- Health Effects: The furocoumarin 8-methoxypsoralen is carcinogenic to humans, and possibly 5-methoxypsoralen as well (L135). There is some evidence from mouse studies that other furocoumarins are carcinogenic when combined with exposure to UVA radiation (A15105). The SKLM regards the additional risk of skin cancer arising from the consumption of typical quantities of furocoumarin-containing foods, which remain significantly below the range of phototoxic doses, as insignificant. However, the consumption of phototoxic quantities cannot be ruled out for certain foods, particularly celery and parsnips, that may lead to significant increases in furocoumarin concentrations, depending on the storage, processing and production conditions. (L2157) Furocoumarin photochemotherapy is known to induce a number of side-effects including erythema, edema, hyperpigmentation, and premature aging of skin. All photobiological effects of furocoumarins result from their photochemical reactions. Because many dietary or water soluble furocoumarins are strong inhibitors of cytochrome P450s, they will also cause adverse drug reactions when taken with other drugs.
- Symptoms: Harmful if swallowed. Irritating to eyes, respiratory system and skin. (L579)
- Treatment: In case of contact with eyes, rinse immediately with plenty of water and seek medical advice. (L579)
Ficusin Interacts with Diseases
Disease | Inference Score | References/Inference Genes |
Renal hypouricemia | 14.2 |
|
Coxsackievirus Infections | 12.19 |
|
Alcoholic liver cirrhosis | 10.3 |
|
Rheumatoid arthritis | 10.09 |
|
Fatty Liver | 9.44 |
|
Myocarditis | 8.61 |
|
Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions | 7.8 | |
Kidney Failure, Chronic | 7.41 |
|
Prostatic Neoplasms | 7.27 |
|
Hypouricemia, Renal, 2 | 7.19 |
|
Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung | 6.84 |
|
Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental | 6.71 |
|
Liver Cirrhosis, Experimental | 6.67 |
|
Obesity | 6.52 |
|
Systemic carnitine deficiency | 6.25 |
|
Neoplasm Invasiveness | 6.01 |
|
Poisoning | 5.99 |
|
Enterovirus Infections | 5.97 |
|
Neoplasm Metastasis | 5.91 |
|
Acatalasia | 5.86 |
|