       Document 0193
 DOCN  M9610193
 TI    Novel therapeutic and diagnostic applications of hypocrellins and
       hypericins.
 DT    9601
 AU    Diwu Z; Molecular Probes, Inc., Eugene, OR 97402, USA.
 SO    Photochem Photobiol. 1995 Jun;61(6):529-39. Unique Identifier : AIDSLINE
       MED/96044410
 AB    Hypocrellins and hypericins, structurally related plant pigments
       isolated from Hypocrella bambuase and Hypericum respectively, are known
       photodynamic agents. This review summarizes certain significant advances
       in the photophysics, photochemistry and photobiology of these pigments
       in the last 2 years and discusses their prospects as novel therapeutic
       and diagnostic agents in the future. Recently, certain unique properties
       of hypocrellins and hypericins have been explored for a variety of
       therapeutic and diagnostic applications. In particular, substantial
       progress has been made in both anticancer and antiviral applications
       (especially anti-human immunodeficiency virus). The promising anticancer
       and antiviral results obtained both in vitro and in vivo have led to
       intensive investigation into their photo-physical and photochemical
       processes, especially kinetic studies of their intramolecular proton
       transfer. These compounds offer the potential for a highly sensitive
       fluorescent redox sensor for investigation of a variety of cellular
       events. The biomedical advances of hypocrellins and hypericins have been
       further promoted by significant progress in their chemical synthesis and
       the recent commercialization of hypocrellins A and B and hypericin.
 DE    Animal  Antidepressive Agents/CHEMISTRY/*DIAGNOSTIC USE/*THERAPEUTIC USE
       Antiviral Agents/CHEMISTRY/*DIAGNOSTIC USE/*THERAPEUTIC USE  Drugs,
       Chinese Herbal/CHEMISTRY/*DIAGNOSTIC USE/*THERAPEUTIC USE  Human
       Perylene/*ANALOGS & DERIVATIVES/CHEMISTRY/DIAGNOSTIC USE/  THERAPEUTIC
       USE  Quinones/CHEMISTRY/*DIAGNOSTIC USE/*THERAPEUTIC USE
       Radiation-Sensitizing Agents/CHEMISTRY/*DIAGNOSTIC USE/  *THERAPEUTIC
       USE  JOURNAL ARTICLE  REVIEW  REVIEW, TUTORIAL

       SOURCE: National Library of Medicine.  NOTICE: This material may be
       protected by Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.Code).

