Phototoxic polyacetylenes and their thiophene derivatives [Effects on human skin]

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Abstract
Polyacetylenes and their thiophene derivatives [isolated from plants from the Compositae family] were tested for their effects on human skin. Topically applied .alpha.-terthienyl evoked biphasic phototoxic dermatitis and the appearance of sunburn cells in human epidermis. None of 11 polyacetylenes and the same effect although they mimicked .alpha.-terthienyl in their phototoxic effects on Candida albicans and certain pathogenic microorganisms. The UV-mediated antibiotic activity of the compounds and their apparent lack of phototoxicity towards the skin suggest a potential topical therapeutic role for them in yeast, fungal and bacterial infections and light-responsive dermatoses. Their topical sensitizing capacity, was not studied.