Arzneimittelforschung 2008; 58(4): 182-187
DOI: 10.1055/s-0031-1296490
Analgesics · Anti-inflammatories · Antiphlogistics · Antirheumatic Drugs
Editio Cantor Verlag Aulendorf (Germany)

Photosensitizing Properties of Actarit, an Antirheumatic Drug

Nieves Canudas
1   Laboratorio de Fotoquímica y Fotobiología, Departamento de Química, Universidad Simón Bolívar, aracas, Venezuela
,
Lillian Figueroa
1   Laboratorio de Fotoquímica y Fotobiología, Departamento de Química, Universidad Simón Bolívar, aracas, Venezuela
,
Delimar Zamora
1   Laboratorio de Fotoquímica y Fotobiología, Departamento de Química, Universidad Simón Bolívar, aracas, Venezuela
,
José E. Villamizar
2   Centro de Química, Instituto Venezolano de Investigaciones Científicas, Caracas, Venezuela
,
Arlen Guedez
1   Laboratorio de Fotoquímica y Fotobiología, Departamento de Química, Universidad Simón Bolívar, aracas, Venezuela
,
Juan M. Fuentes
1   Laboratorio de Fotoquímica y Fotobiología, Departamento de Química, Universidad Simón Bolívar, aracas, Venezuela
,
Cristina Castelli
3   Departamento de Biología Celular Laboratorio de Microbiología y Genética, Universidad Simón Bolívar, Caracas, Venezuela
,
Antonieta Taddei
3   Departamento de Biología Celular Laboratorio de Microbiología y Genética, Universidad Simón Bolívar, Caracas, Venezuela
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
15 December 2011 (online)

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Abstract

The photobiological properties of 4-acetylaminophenylacetic acid (Actarit, ACT, MS-932, CAS 18699-02-0) were studied using in vitro phototoxicity assays: photohemolysis, photoperoxidation of linoleic acid and Candida sp phototoxicity test. ACT reduced nitro blue tetrazolium (NBT) when irradiated with λ ≥ 300 nm in deoxygenated aqueous buffer solution (pH 7.4). The photohemolysis rate and photoperoxidation of linoleic acid were inhibited significantly by reduced glutathione. ACT was phototoxic to Candida sp. The isolation and identification of the photodegradation products of ACT in phosphate buffered saline solution (pH 7.4) and methanol were studied under aerobic conditions. Four compounds were identified and two of them isolated and characterized by spectroscopic methods. A photodecarboxylation with the participation of oxygen via a type I mechanism was proposed for the photodegradation of ACT which undergoes direct electron transfer from the excited state of ACT carboxylate and homolytic rupture of the α-carbon bond. A photodynamic mechanism involving radicals and electron transfer reactions was suggested for the observed in vitro phototoxicity.