Investigation of the mutagenic activity in Salmonella typhimurium of the furochromone khellin, proposed as a therapeutic agent for skin diseases

• Published in: Mutation research Vol. 279; no. 2; p. 103
• Main Authors: Riccio, M L, Coratza, G, Bovalini, L, Martelli, P
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands 16-05-1992
• Subjects: Khellin - therapeutic use; Khellin - toxicity; Mutagenicity Tests; Mutagens - toxicity; Photochemistry; Salmonella typhimurium - drug effects; Skin Diseases - drug therapy
• ISSN: 0027-5107
• DOI: 10.1016/0165-1218(92)90251-t

The photomutagenicity of the furochromone khellin was tested in Ames Salmonella strains using 8-methoxypsoralen (8-MOP) and 4,5', 8-trimethylpsoralen (TMP) as positive controls. When khellin was assayed with strain TA1537, mutation induction was not detectable; in the same strain, an equitoxic dose (52-56% level of survival) of TMP (used at a concentration 12-fold lower than khellin and with a UVA dose 83-fold lower than that used with khellin) yielded an increase in revertants/plate 3-fold above the spontaneous background. In strain TA102, khellin plus UVA treatment yielded a 2-fold increase in revertants/plate above the spontaneous background (79% survival). 8-MOP, however, used at a concentration 8-fold lower than khellin with a UVA dose 13-fold lower than khellin, yielded an increase in revertants/plate about 14-fold above background (66% survival) in the same strain. These data show that khellin has a weak photomutagenic potential and, along with the previously reported low photogenotoxic potential in eukaryotic cell systems, support the notion that khellin may be safer than bifunctional psoralens for clinical use.