Treatment of inflammatory skin diseases with cis-urocanic acid - formed by UV irradiation of trans-isomer, on skin or in vitro, esp. for psoriasis

摘要

Prepn. of a compsn. for external application and treatment (in conjunction with UV irradiation) of inflammatory skin diseases comprises (1) incorporating trans-urocaninic acid (I) into a carrier material at an appropriate concn., then (2), either on the body surface or in vitro, irradiating the compsn. with UV light. (I) is thus converted to cis-urocaninic acid (II) which has immunosuppressant activity on cytotoxic lymphocytes. Pref. carrier is an aq. ointment base. Where (II) is formed in vitro, it is subsequently applied to the body surface or admin. systemically. USE - Inhibits the activity of cytotoxic lymphocytes so breaks the pathogenetic mechanisms primarily initiated by such cells. The process is used to treat or prevent, e.g., psoriasis or lichen ruber.