COMPARATIVE-STUDY ON THE PHOTO-TOXICITY OF BERGAMOT OIL IN MAN AND THE GUINEA-PIG

Phototoxicity of bergamot oil in solar simulating radiation (SSR≥290 nm) and in long ultraviolet radiation (LUV≥320 nm) has been compared by studying photo-augmentation of erythema in the guinea pig after 24 h and pigmentary photoaugmentation in man on the 8th day. The results show that a close relationship exists between guinea pig and human responses, with both radiations used, and that man seems to be slightly more sensitive to phototoxic effects of bergamot oil than the guinea pig. This difference of sensitivity necessarily implies the participation of UVA (320 400 nm) in the phototoxic reaction of bergamot oil with solar radiation. This UVA participation is particularly obvious in the guinea pig; in man, the results are less clear and a certain synergy of UVB rays (290-320 nm) may be involved in the phototoxic UVA-induced reaction of bergamot oil. Despite these slight differences, the erythematous reaction in the guinea pig appears to be a remarkable experimental model to show out potential phototoxic reactions of products containing psoralens in man. © 1979 S. Karger AG, Basel.