Definition: Linear furanocoumarins which are found in many PLANTS, especially UMBELLIFERAE and RUTACEAE, as well as PSORALEA from which they were originally discovered. They can intercalate DNA and, in an UV-initiated reaction of the furan portion, alkylate PYRIMIDINES, resulting in PHOTOSENSITIVITY DISORDERS.
dermatol agents; do not confuse with the specific drug PSORALEN see FICUSIN; do not index here for psoralens in PUVA THERAPY unless particularly discussed
Biochim Biophys Acta 447(3):249;1976; Biochim Biophys Acta 521(1):160;1978; Experientia 33(3):384;1976; Farm Zh 30(4):45;1975; Indian J Med Res 63(6):833;1975; Italian J Biochem 24(5):258;1975; Mutation Res 43:377;1977; Mutation Res 58(1):23;1978; Nucleic Acids Res 3(1):191;1976
