Photobiological properties of some water-soluble 5-MOP and 8-MOP derivatives

The photobiological properties of a number of water-soluble psoralen derivatives have been investigated. The compounds are characterized by the presence of protonated diethylaminoalkyloxy side-chains at position 5 or 8. Thus they are strictly related to the photochemotherapeutic agents 5-MOP and 8-MOP. Inhibition of DNA synthesis by the above compounds has been evaluated in mouse skin in vivo and in Ehrlich ascites tumor cells. In the latter experiments, inhibition of tumor transmitting capacity has been demonstrated by injection of irradiated cells into healthy animals. Finally, skin erythema formation has been studied in albino guinea pigs. The photobiological responses were quite remarkable in all cases. In general, derivatives at position 5 exhibit stronger antiproliferative effects, while the 8 isomers display higher skin phototoxicity.