Research Area: Inflammation
Biological Activity:
Methoxsalen (Oxsoralen) a naturally occurring furocoumarin compound found in several species of plants, including Psoralea corylifolia, is a drug used to treat psoriasis, eczema, vitiligo and some cutaneous Lymphomas in conjunction with exposing the skin to sunlight. It is a photoactive substance that forms DNA adducts in the presence of ultraviolet an irradiation. After activation it binds preferentially to the guanine and cytosine moieties of DNA, leading to cross-linking of DNA, thus inhibiting DNA synthesis and function. [1]