psoralen

[ sawr-uh-luh n, sohr- ]
/ ˈsɔr ə lən, ˈsoʊr- /

noun Pharmacology.

a toxic substance, C11H6O3, found in certain plants, including parsnips, used to increase the response to ultraviolet light in the treatment of severe cases of acne and psoriasis.
Also called furocoumarin.

Origin of psoralen

1930–35; < New Latin Psoral(ea) name of a genus of plants yielding the compound (< Greek psōraléa, neuter plural of psōraléos mangy, in reference to the glandular dots on the plant; see psoriasis) + -en, variant of -ene

Words nearby psoralen

psoas, psoas abscess, psocid, psora, psoralea, psoralen, psorelcosis, psoriasiform, psoriasis, psoriatic, psoriatic arthritis

Medical definitions for psoralen

psoralen
[ sôr′ə-lən ]

n.

Any of a group of chemical compounds found naturally in certain plants that are used in the treatment of psoriasis and vitiligo.