Psoralen

White to off-white powder. Soluble in DMSO (20mg/ml), DMF (20mg/ml), ethanol (5 mg/ml), ethyl acetate, acetone or water (1mg/ml with warming). Chemical. CAS: 66-97-7. Formula: C11H6O3. MW: 186.16. Isolated from plant source. Psoralen is a photoactive probe that has been used to investigate nucleic acid structure and function. It intercalates into DNA and, when activated by ultraviolet radiation, can create covalent interstrand crosslinks, inducing apoptosis. Photosensitizing agent that shows anticancer properties by inducing apoptosis and cell cycle arrest, modulating the Wnt/beta-catenin pathway. This compound is also used in molecular biology applications. Because of its high UV absorbance, psoralen has been combined with UVA light (PUVA therapy) for the treatment of skin problems such as psoriasis, eczema, vitiligo, and cutaneous T-cell lymphoma. Spectral fluorescence: lambdaex=335nm, lambdaem=460nm (pH 7.0).