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Allergic contact dermatitis due to sesquiterpene lactones
Author(s) -
STAMPF JEANLUC,
SCHLEWER GILBERT,
DUCOMBS GEORGES,
FOUSSEREAU JEAN,
BENEZRA CLAUDE
Publication year - 1978
Publication title -
british journal of dermatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.304
H-Index - 179
eISSN - 1365-2133
pISSN - 0007-0963
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2133.1978.tb01977.x
Subject(s) - sesquiterpene , lactone , methylene , moiety , chemistry , sesquiterpene lactone , guinea pig , stereochemistry , traditional medicine , biology , organic chemistry , medicine , endocrinology
SUMMARY Several compounds containing the α‐methylene‐γ‐butyrolactone moiety have been tested on human volunteers and on guinea‐pigs; the animals were experimentally sensitized by alantolactone, iso‐alantolactone and laurel oil. Of the two new lactones, spirolactone was the more reactive: this was confirmed by both animal and human testing. The synthetic lactones are less reactive than natural ones. α‐Methylene‐γ‐butyrolactone itself does not elicit cross‐reactions in guinea‐pigs sensitive either to alantolactone or to isoalantolactone, or in patients sensitive to sesquiterpene lactones. The α‐methylene‐γ‐butyrolactone group is necessary for cross‐reaction, but to be active, it has first to be substituted. It was also found that isoalantolactone, allegedly not allergenic, is in fact a sensitizer and cross‐reacts with alantolactone. The cross‐reaction between laurel and Frullania , found in man, also occurs in guinea‐pigs. It is more evident when sesquiterpene lactone is the sensitizer and laurel used to elicit reaction.