TRIOXYSALEN Meaning and
Definition
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Trioxysalen is a chemical compound that falls under the category of psoralens. It is naturally found in a few plants such as wild celery and parsnip. However, it can also be synthesized artificially for various applications, particularly in medicine and photography. Trioxysalen is commonly utilized in combination with ultraviolet A (UVA) radiation for a medical procedure known as psoralen plus ultraviolet A (PUVA) therapy. PUVA therapy is primarily administered to treat skin conditions such as psoriasis, vitiligo, and eczema.
The chemical structure of trioxysalen consists of three oxygen atoms, giving it the name trioxysalen. This molecule is known for its ability to interact with DNA, ultimately affecting the replication and repair processes of genetic material. From a therapeutic perspective, trioxysalen works by increasing the sensitivity of the skin to UVA radiation. When applied topically or taken orally, it gets absorbed into the skin cells. Upon exposure to UVA, it forms covalent bonds with DNA, leading to DNA cross-linking and subsequent disruption of the cell's ability to divide and replicate.
In addition to its medical application, trioxysalen also finds use in photography. It is utilized as a photosensitizer in the production of color photographic prints. In this context, trioxysalen is employed to enhance the sensitivity of certain film layers to UV light, promoting the formation of dyes and pigments during the printing process.
Overall, trioxysalen is an important compound for medical and photographic purposes, with its primary medical use in PUVA therapy for the treatment of dermatological conditions.
Common Misspellings for TRIOXYSALEN
- rrioxysalen
- frioxysalen
- grioxysalen
- yrioxysalen
- 6rioxysalen
- 5rioxysalen
- teioxysalen
- tdioxysalen
- tfioxysalen
- ttioxysalen
- t5ioxysalen
- t4ioxysalen
- truoxysalen
- trjoxysalen
- trkoxysalen
- trooxysalen
- tr9oxysalen
- tr8oxysalen
- triixysalen
- trikxysalen
Etymology of TRIOXYSALEN
The word "Trioxysalen" is derived from a combination of two components: "trioxy" and "salen".
1. Trioxy-: This prefix is derived from the Greek word "trioxys", meaning "triple oxygen". In chemical nomenclature, "trioxys" indicates the presence of three oxygen atoms in a compound. Trioxysalen contains three oxygen atoms.
2. Salen: The term "salen" refers to a specific chemical compound called "salicylaldimine". Salicylaldimine is formed by condensing salicylaldehyde (a compound derived from salicylic acid) with an amine. Salicylaldehyde derives its name from salicylic acid since both are structurally related.
Combining these two components, "Trioxysalen" indicates a compound that contains three oxygen atoms combined with a salicylaldehyde derivative.
