“NATURAL ALLERGENS, PHOTOSENSITIZING AGENTS AND FUNGAL TOXIN”

PRATIK V.RAHATE

Guided By: A.A.DESHMUKH SIR B.PHARMACY IVTH YearVBCP Amravati

Introduction Allergens are inciting agents of allergy i.e. The

substances capable of sensitizing the body in such a way that an unusual response occurs , in hypersensitive person.

It may be of biologic, chemical, or of synthetic origin. The substance such as pollens, dander's, dust etc. as

natural allergens. Allergens are protein or glycoprotein .

NATURAL ALLERGENS

TYPES OF ALLERGENS

INHALANT ALLERGENS

INJECTANT ALLERGENS

CONTACTANT ALLERGENS

INFECTANT ALLERGENS

INFESTANT ALLERGENS

I. INHALANT ALLERGENS Inhalant allergens are air borne substances as

chemicals, causing respiratory disease, inflammation in nose and lungs.

Inhalant allergies caused by environmental factors such as pollen, pets, house dust mites and moulds. .

Inflammation in nose & lungs may cause Hay fever & Asthma.

INHALANT ALLERGENS

SYMPTOMS

Sneezing Lacrimation Coughing and post nasal drip Itching eyes, nose and throat. Allergic shiner Allergic salute Watering eyes, conjunctivitis.

DUST MITES

CYNODON DACTYLON

II.INGESTANT ALLERGENS

Allergens which are present in food stuff and swallowed are termed ingestant (food allergy).

A food allergy is an immune system response to a food. When foods are digested and the nutrients are absorbed,

substances in the food (ingestant allergens) stimulate allergic response. These reactions cause a number of allergic symptoms.

Some most common food allergens ingested by patients are milk, egg, peanut, tree nut, fish, shellfish, soy, wheat, orange juice, cod liver oils, etc.

SYMPTOMS Food allergens ordinarily cause GIT

symptoms, but they may also cause Skin rash Puffed lips and tongue Migraine Rhinitis Bronchial asthma Severe cases of eczema of hands.FOOD ALLERGENS

III. INJECTANT ALLERGENS

The injectants (injectable preparations and insects)

cause allergy in hypersensitive person, allergic conditions is known injectants allergy.

SymptomsI. Itching of the palms of hands and soles of feetII. ErythemaIII. Peeling of skin

The natural sources of injectable allergens are produced by the sting of bees, hornets and wasps.

In addition to penicillin products, other injectable that may cause allergies are liver extract, antitoxins and the glandular products.

STING OF BEES

IV. CONTACTANT ALLERGENS "Any allergens they produce manifestation of

hypersensitivity at the site of skin or other mucous".

Aeroallergens, such as the various pollen grains containing oils, trichomes from various leaves, flowers and small fragments of plants tissue carried by smoke originating from brush fires, grass fires and burning leaves are also cause for contact allergens.

A Number of plants products used as additives in cosmetics and perfumes are irritants and cause skin allergy to some hypersensitive individuals.

Wool fat in cosmetics, soap and soap powders, plain detergents and enzyme detergents, nail polishes, hair dye and hair spray are also included among the major cause of contact dermatitis.

FIG. PARTHENIUM HYSTEROPHORUS

V. INFECTANT ALLERGENS

Allergy caused by the metabolic product of living micro-organism in the human body. The continual presence of certain types of bacteria,

protozoa's, molds, helminths and other parasites in the body of human being are responsible for chronic infection.

In such patient bacterial metabolic waste are considered to be infectant allergens.

PHOTOSENSITIZING AGENTS

Introduction Definition: Drug that are pharmacologically inactive

but when exposed to UV- radiation or sunlight converted to their active metabolite to produce a beneficial reaction affecting the diseased tissue.

The photosensitizing agent has property to fluorescence. on exposure to visible light it absorbs a quantum of energy and the molecule becomes activated.

This energy is transferred to other molecules such as amino acids, histamine, tryptophan and tyrosine, which in turn become activated; subsequently decompose or undergo further chemical reactions.

PHOTOSENSITIZING REACTIONS

1.PHOTOALLERGY

2.PHOTOPHOBIA

3.PHOTOTOXICITY

Photoallergy is an allergic reaction of the skin to UV light.

Photophobia is a fear or strong desire to avoid all light sources based on a painful sensitivity of the eyes to strong light.

Phototoxicity is an irritation of the skin after exposure to UV light. immediate reactions may include itching, burning, swelling, scaling and rashes.

CLASSIFICATION OF PHOTOSENSITIZER

Photosensitizer can be divided into two main groups;

PHOTODYNAMIC

PHOTOSENSITIZING

PHOTODYNAMIC PHOTOSENSITIZER Photodynamic agents require oxygen for their

action.this group include photodynamic dyes, hypericin, phagoprin, bengal rose, erythrosine, quinine.

These substances photo-oxidize terpenene, blood serum and cause haemolysis.

They are topically inactive but on intra-dermal injection causes immediate photoreaction of short duration.

The decrease in temperature of irradiation inhibits the photosensitization effect.

PHOTOSENSITIZING PHOTOSENSITIZER It do not require oxygen for reaction. These photosensitizing agents include furanocoumarins

and their derivatives. These compound neither cause photo-oxidation of

terpenene or haemolysis. Temperature of irradiation has no effect on

photosensitization activity of these compounds. Photosensitizer combined with ultraviolet light may also

contribute to other health problems, including skin cancer, photoaging and allergic reactions.

DIFFERENCE

Require oxygen for their action. e.g. Quinine, acridine dye.

Photosensitizing effect: Erythema produced by

appears immediately after irradiation & disappear a few hrs.

The decrease in temperature of irradiation inhibits photosensitization effect.

Do not require oxygen for reaction. E.g. Psoralen, xanthotoxin.

Erythema produced by furanocoumarin appears after several hr and last for several days.

Temperature of irradiation has no effect on activity of those compounds.

PHOTODYNAMIC PHOTOSENSITIZING

PHOTOSENSEITIZING AGENTS IN THERAPY Use in treatment of vitiligo disease, in which melanin

formation is deficient. extract of Ammi majus L or juice of the fruits of

Psoralea corylifolia, that have long been used in treatment of vitiligo.

Extract is either given orally or painted on the unpigmented spot of the patient.

The patient is then exposed to sunlight for 1-2 hrs. Development of a strong brown color after 2 days. The joint action of medicine and irradiation, is called

photochemotherapy.

PHOTODYAMIC THERAPY Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is based on the discovery

that certain chemicals can kill one celled in the presence of light.

PDT is as a bio-component therapy method. PDT method for treatment of tumor diseases using

original domestic photosensitizing agents. Selectivity of PDT effect on malignant tissues is ensured

primarily through accumulation of photosensitizing agents and pro-sensitizer in tumor tissues due to more intensive blood supply of tumors.

Introduction Mycotoxin are chemicals produced by fungi, molds

under certain conditions. They are essential for fungal growth and reproduction

and toxic to human and animals. More than 250 toxins Disease caused by mycotoxins are called

mycotoxicosis. Disease caused by mold infection are called mycosis.

FUNGAL TOXIN

AFLATOXIN Aflatoxin is produced by Aspergillus parasiticus and A.

flavus. There are 5 important aflatoxins called aflatoxin

B1,B2,G1,G2 and M. Aflatoxins are extremely toxic and their target organ is

liver. Aflatoxin B1 is three times more toxic than G1 and is the

most potent naturally occurring hepatocarcinogen. Aflatoxin exposure depresses the immune system and

may cause abortion.

STEARIGMATOCYSTIN It is produced by certain species of Aspergillus

versicolor. The toxic effects of sterigmatocystin are much the same

as those of aflatoxin B1. It is thus considered as a potent carcinogen,mutagen, and

teratogen. Toxic effects of sterigmatocystin-fed laboratory animals

have included kidney and liver damage and diarrhoea.

ERGOTOXIN Ergot or ergot fungi refers to a group of fungi of the

genus Claviceps. The most prominent member of this group is Claviceps

purpurea. This fungus grows on rye and related plants, and produces alkaloids that can cause ergotismin humans and other mammals.

The neurotropic activities of the ergot alkaloids may also cause hallucinations.

Ergot cause CNS and peripheral disorders. It cause tangerine and abortion in pregnant females.

OCHRATOXIN It is produced by Aspergillus ochraceus and even by

penicilium viridicatum . Ochratoxin A has been associated the disease known

balkan nephropathy. Ochratoxin formation is favoured by cold temperature

below 50º F and has been found on cheese cake. The target organ seems to be kidney followed by liver.

Ochratoxin B is non-toxic.

REFERENCE A.N.KALIA "TEXTBOOK OF INDUSTRIAL

PHARMACOGNOSY" CBS PUBLISHERS & DISTRIBUTORS. Page no. . 188-203.

VARRO E. TYLER, LYNN R. BRANDY, JAMES E.ROBBERS "PHARMACOGNOSY" 9TH EDITION.