Photosensitizers

Bergamot oil
 Introduction
Photosensitive reactions have been recognized for
thousands of years. In ancient Egypt, India, and Greece psoralen-
containing plants extracts were combined with exposure to sunlight to trea
t skin diseases.
In 1897, reports of dermatitis following contact with parsnips and
angelica came from both the United States and England, and in 1916, E. Freu
nd observed characteristic hyperpigmented lesions that he attributed to eau d
e cologne containing bergamot oil. Unfortunately, none of the authors recog
nized the necessity of ultraviolet radiation (UVR) for the reaction.
In 1938, H. Kuske showed that plant furocoumarins caused
photosensitization, and shortly thereafter, T.Jensen and K. G. Hansen repo
rted that UVR between 320 and 380 nm caused the reaction maximum..
In 1967, British researchers discovered that sandalwood oil in
sunscreens and cosmetics caused photoallergies. Shortly thereafter, Frenc
h scientists demonstrated that bergamot oil in sunscreens caused photosen
sitivity disorders, and German researchers isolated photoreactive agents fr
om colognes, perfumes, and oral contraceptives
Photosensitivity reactions

Photosensitivity is an adverse cutaneous

reaction that results when a certain chemical or dr
ug is applied topically or taken systemically at the
same time when a person is exposed to UVR or vi
sible light . Photosensitivity reactions may be mor
e specifically categorized as phototoxic or photoal
lergic in nature. Phototoxicity is much more com
mon than photoallergy
Photosensitizers
photosensitizers are chemicals that induce
a photoreaction. The chemicals may be therapeutic,
cosmetic, industrial, or agricultural. Photosensitivity r
eactions can be caused by injected, oral, or topically a
pplied chemical photosensitizers. In most cases, the m
echanism is phototoxicity like a bergamot oil, but som
e agents cause photoallergy.
 Bergamot oil

Scientific Name: Citrus bergamia

Common Name: Bergamot Oil
Bergamot oil is cold-pressed from the peel of the nearly
ripe fruit. The aroma of bergamot oil is fresh, lively, fruity and
sweet. It is an excellent deodorizer. Aromatherapy benefits:
uplifting, inspiring, confidence. Avoid using bergamot on the skin
when there is a possibility of exposure to sunlight because it can
cause phototoxicity.
 Composition of Bergamot oil

Bergapten Linalyl acetate Linalool

Limonene alpha-Pinene Myrcene

How to evaluate the phototoxicity
In vivo experiment

Test Sample (bergamot oil)

The test sample was inject into the patch tests (diameter of 10
mm) and was applied on the back skin areas.

It was exposed with irradiation It was exposed with

(at a dose of 5 J/cm2,as measured in the irradiation (as controlled)
UVA rang)

Observed and recored every 24 h,48h,72h after exposure

How to evaluate the phototoxicity
In vitro experiment
3D skin model tissues

It was pre-incubated in fresh medium for 1 h (37 o C,5%CO2) were

applied with test sample overnight ( 16-20 h )

It was exposed with UV light It was not exposed with UV light

(at a dose of 6 J/cm2,
as measured in the UVA rang)

It was detected by spectrophotometer (at 540 nm)

Statistical analysis by the mean photo effect (MPE)

 The MPE & MED
The MPE (Mean Photo Effect )
MPE is a statistical comparison of the dose–response
curves obtained with and without UV and a test substance is pr
edicted as phototoxic
• if MPE is higher than 0.1 is predicted as ‘‘probably
phototoxic’’ (OECD, 2004)

The MED (Minimal Erythema Dose )

MED is amount of sunlight needed to cause a minimally
perceptible erythema sunburn.
• MED quantifies the subject’ s actinic sensitivity is depend on subject’s
phototypes
Phototoxic in Bergamot oil

Hyperpigmented on streak on Skin irritation

the dorsa of hand of a patient
with bergapten phototoxicity
Application of Cosmetic
 Reference
- Rūta Dubakienė, Miglė Kuprienė. Scientific problems of
photosensitivity.
Medicina (Kaunas) 2006; 42(8)
- emedicine.medscape.com/article/1119063-media

- www.elsevier.com/locate/toxinvit

-http://www.sunadvise.com/?page_id=32

-http://books.google.co.th/books?id=2iCr7Xglyi4C&pg=PA192&lpg=PA192&dq=def
inition+of+Minimal+erythema+dose&source=bl&ots=sz3at_cEx9&sig=LXHEiyoLR
S57qcXULNMWuM47hhA&hl=th&ei=v1SzSuPgII_y6gOBzYz_CQ&sa=X&oi=boo
k_result&ct=result&resnum=10#v=onepage&q=definition%20of%20Minimal%20eryt
hema%20dose&f=false
-สำำนักวิทยำศำสตร์เครื่องสำำอำง.เอกสำรประกอบกำรสอนเรือ่ ง photosensitive reaction & phototoxicity.