ABSTRACT
Psoralens, also known as furocoumarins, are naturally occurring or synthetic tricyclic aromatic compounds (Figure 142.1), deriving from the condensation of a coumarine nucleus with a furan ring. They exhibit interesting photobiological and phototherapeutical activities, such as skin photosensitization characterized by the onset of erythema followed by dark pigmentation. The related angular isomers, angelicins and allopsoralens, are also present in the vegetal world; namely, angelicin is present in
Angelica archangelica
, and a derivative of allopsoralen is present in
Mammea americana
.
