The action spectrum for benzanthrone photosensitization of mouse macrophages

An in vitro method for determination of the phototoxic action spectrum of benzanthrone was established using a cover slip-test tube culture system with mouse peritoneal macrophages. The action spectrum peaked between 380 and 400 nm with abrupt fall-off to either side. These findings correlate closely with both the absorption spectrum of benzanthrone and the clinical action spectrum of phototoxicity in humans.