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Bergapten: has photosensitising properties and is often used in
conjunction with solar radiation to treat psoriasis. Bergapten causes
photosensitivity which is frequently used therapeutically against skin
conditions like psoriasis and vitiligo where the patient is exposed to the sun as part of the
treatment.
Use of bergapten on normal skin will also cause photosensitivity so exposure
to solar radiation (the sun) must be avoided while using medications that
contain this constituent. Bergapten is a
Linear Furanocoumarin.
Although it is generally held of all Furanocoumarins that
they may be carcinogenic during exposure to the sun or other sources of UV light
Bergapten is frequently mentioned as a potential photo carcinogenic, so please
consult your medical practitioner before using substances that contain
Bergapten.
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Furanocoumarins: Furanocoumarins have sun- or
photosensitizing properties and are often used for the treatment of skin
conditions sometimes with controlled exposure to the sun.
Other effects of Furanocoumarins reportedly are: hypotensive activity,
antiasmatic and antispasmodic.
Furanocoumarins are potentially photo-carcinogenic and may promote a cancer that
is initiated by interference with the skins natural ability to protect
underlying cells against the carcinogenic effect of harmful ultra violet
radiation.
Furanocoumarins are Coumarins with a furan ring
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Coumarins: Coumarins are lactones of hydroxycinnamic
acids. Coumarins are lactones. There are many variations of coumarins: Furanocoumarins found in Angelica have a
spasmolitic effect but must be used with caution as they have a strong
phototoxic effect as has many of the Furanocoumarins (Warfarin a blood thinning
drug but also virulent rat poison, is a coumarin derivative). In general
coumarins have antifungal, hypotensive, anticoagulant and antimicrobial properties.
Many of the Coumarins are phototoxic and skin sensitising.
Lactones: A lactone is an Ester that's
functional group has become part of a ring structure with carbon atoms.
Lactones are widely present in the plant kingdom and many are expectorants and
febrifuges. |
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