Linear Furanocoumarins

Abstract

The increased use of the linear furanocoumarins in medicine has occasionally been linked, however, to higher incidence of skin cancer, and other disorders such as sister chromatid exchanges, gene mutation, and chromosomal aberrations in humans. In addition to the linear furanocoumarins, some plant species also have angular furanocoumarins such as angelicin, but the linear furanocoumarins usually constitute a higher proportion of their total furanocoumarins. Like most other coumarins, the linear furanocoumarins are photoactivated plant biosynthetic compounds. Some recent studies suggest that some chemical precursors of linear furanocoumarins may be more toxic to fungi than the linear furanocoumarins. Ultraviolet A radiation is certainly a major factor determining the toxicity of linear furanocoumarins to most organisms. In addition to Ultraviolet light, a number of other factors can increase the toxic effects of furanocoumarins. Plant extracts have also been shown to detoxify linear furanocoumarins.