Abstract
New photosensitizers have been extracted from the flowers and aerial parts of the Cichorium Pumilum Jacq (chicory). Chicory grows naturally in local wild areas and is known to cause quick death of only white sheep during its flowering season in autumn. Some of those isolated photosensitizers are yet to be further characterized. Preliminary investigations show a high degradation of isolated photosensitizers under direct sunlight (solar irradiance 450-950W m¯ 2 ). This in vitro study also shows a very high photohemolysis rate at a concentration of 0.95 mg mL¯ 1 . The extracted compounds are also found to be temperature dependent. Multiple absorption peaks are also shown for tested extract both in ultraviolet region (at the wavelengths 314, 360nm) and in the visible region (at 445, 492 and 667nm). Results of the present investigation clearly show the potential of the light- and temperature-dependent extracted compounds as a new member of the photodynamic therapeutics. It is possible therefore that the claimed chicory-induced death of white sheep is simply a direct result of phototoxicity.
Highlights
Natural pigments in some organisms absorb visible and near-ultraviolet light (UV)
Strong absorption bands at 314 The sample of control line C1 contained red blood cells (RBC) nm, 360 nm in UV region and 445 nm, 492 nm and 667 suspended in phosphate buffered saline (PBS) showed no effect of temperature on nm in the VIS region are observed
For the first time the observations reported in this study suggest the hypothesis that the extractions from the flower and top part of Cichorium Pumilum are light and temperature dependent
Summary
Natural pigments in some organisms absorb visible and near-ultraviolet light (UV). Natural photosensitizers are present in many organisms including bacteria, fungi, higher plants, protozoa, invertebrates and vertebrates. In northern parts of Jordan and during the flowering season, many incidences of sudden death of white sheeps have been reported immediately after grazing on chicory. Chicory flowers and aerial parts are found to be a source of photosensitizers and their extract is used for this study for the first time. Similar extraction of red plant pigment hypericin (HY) from Hypericum crispum is known to cause severe damage to hemoglobin[1] and developing a photodynamic disease “hypericism” of the grazing animals[2,3]. The transient intermediates held responsible for erythrocytes membrane damage include singlet oxygen, superoxide and free radicals
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
