Furanocoumarin

Psoralen

Angelicin

Furanocoumarins, or furocoumarins, are a class of organic chemical compounds produced by a variety of plants. They are biosynthesized partly through the phenylpropanoid pathway and the mevalonate pathway, which is biosynthesized by a coupling of dimethylallyl pyrophosphate (DMAPP) and 7-hydroxycoumarin (umbelliferone).

The chemical structure of furanocoumarins consists of a furan ring fused with coumarin. The furan may be fused in different ways producing several isomers. The compounds that form the core structure of the two most common isomers are psoralen and angelicin. Derivatives of these two core structures are referred to respectively as linear and angular furanocoumarins.^[1]

Many furanocoumarins are toxic and are produced by plants as a defense mechanism against various types of predators ranging from insects to mammals.^[2] This class of phytochemical is responsible for the phytophotodermatitis seen in exposure to the juices of the wild parsnip.

Furanocoumarins have other biological effects as well. For example, in humans, bergamottin and dihydroxybergamottin are responsible for the "grapefruit juice effect", in which these furanocoumarins affect the metabolism of certain pharmaceutical drugs.^[3]

References

1. ^ International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry. "furanocoumarins". Compendium of Chemical Terminology Internet edition. International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry. "furocoumarins". Compendium of Chemical Terminology Internet edition.
2. ^ Professor May Berenbaum's research page - University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
3. ^ Kakar SM, Paine MF, Stewart PW, Watkins PB (2004). "6',7'-Dihydroxybergamottin contributes to the grapefruit juice effect". Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics 75 (6): 569–579. doi:10.1016/j.clpt.2004.02.007. PMID 15179411.