PHOTOTOXIC EFFECTS OF NATURALLY OCCURRING POLYACETYLENES AND α‐TERTHIENYL ON HUMAN ERYTHROCYTES

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Abstract
—: Hemolysis, K+ leakage and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibition in human erythrocytes were observed with certain naturally occurring polyacetylenes and a thiophene derivative, α‐terthienyl. K' leakage, subsequent hemolysis and AChE inactivation by phenylheptatriyne (PHT), a phototoxic compound, were considerably enhanced by UV light (312–400 nm). The same was true with α‐terthienyl and with certain other polyacetylenes. Oxygen enhanced AChE inactivation and hemolysis with α‐terthienyl in light. With PHT, only AChE inhibition was significantly enhanced in oxygen. Falcarindiol, a non‐phototoxic polyacetylene, did not inactivate this enzyme but caused hemolysis in the dark. Inhibition of AChE and hemolysis by these compounds appear to be unrelated phenomena. These results indicate that certain polyacetylenes are capable of damaging biological membranes in light, and others in dark.