chlorophyll-a and Skin-Diseases

Continuing our search for biogenic NF-kappa B inhibitors we investigated Solanum diflorum, used by the Istmo Sierra Zapotec Indians of Mexico in the treatment of inflammatory skin conditions. It became obvious very early that the active substance seems to be a degradation product of chlorophyll. Pheophorbide A was identified as one of the key compounds responsible for the NF-kappa B inhibitory activity. The compound interferes with NF-kappa B activation, was cytotoxic if exposed to light, but devoid of any cytotoxic activity in the dark.

Topics: Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; Chlorophyll; Darkness; HeLa Cells; Humans; Mexican Americans; NF-kappa B; Plant Extracts; Plant Leaves; Plants, Medicinal; Skin Diseases; Solanaceae

Two types of plant-caused photosensitizations are recognized in livestock: 1) primary, wherein the phototoxic agent in the plant is ingested and reaches the skin chemically unchanged; and 2) secondary, wherein the phototoxic agent in the porphyrin phylloerythrin produced by chlorophyll degradation in ruminant stomachs. Phylloerythrin is normally excreted in bile but is allowed to reach the skin when hepatic damage interferes with the phylloerythrin-excreting mechanism. Primary photosensitizing plant toxins are few, whereas secondary photosensitizations can be caused by damage to the liver by a variety of plant and other toxins. Plants causing each type of photosensitization are discussed and clinical manifestations of the disease in livestock are summarized. Tetradymia species are one of the most economically important causes of phototoxicity in livestock. The etiology of this phototoxic syndrome in sheep and the importance of sagebrush species as preconditioning agents for phototoxicity are discussed.

Topics: Animal Feed; Animals; Chlorophyll; Photosensitivity Disorders; Plants, Toxic; Porphyrias; Porphyrins; Skin Diseases; Sunlight

Topics: Anti-Infective Agents, Local; Chlorophyll; Diet; Diet Therapy; Drug Therapy; Humans; Metabolism; Porphyria Cutanea Tarda; Porphyrias; Porphyrins; Skin Diseases

Topics: Chlorophyll; Humans; Neomycin; Powders; Skin Diseases; Soft Tissue Injuries; Varicose Ulcer

Topics: Animals; Breast Diseases; Chlorophyll; Humans; Lepidoptera; Nipples; Skin Diseases; Wound Healing

Topics: Chlorophyll; Humans; Musculoskeletal Diseases; Skin; Skin Diseases

Topics: Chlorophyll; Humans; Institutional Practice; Mental Disorders; Ointments; Skin Diseases

Topics: Bandages; Chlorophyll; Propionates; Skin Diseases; Surgical Wound Infection

Topics: Chlorophyll; Skin Diseases

Topics: Animals; Candidiasis, Oral; Chlorophyll; Humans; Skin Diseases; Songbirds; Stomatitis, Aphthous

Topics: Chlorophyll; Psychotherapy; Skin Diseases; Wounds and Injuries

Topics: Chlorophyll; Disease Management; Humans; Skin Diseases

Topics: Chlorophyll; Skin Diseases

Topics: Chlorophyll; Humans; Skin Diseases