In vitro studies on the effect of phototoxicity of a new photosensitizer extracted from flowers and aerial parts of Cichorium pumilum

New photosensitizers have been extracted from the flowers and aerial parts of the Cichorium Pumilum Jacq (chicory). Chicory grows naturally in local wild areas and is known to cause quick death of only white sheep during its flowering season in autumn. Some of those isolated photosensitizers are yet to be further characterized. Preliminary investigations show a high degradation of isolated photosensitizers under direct sunlight (solar irradiance 450-950W m^-2). This in vitro study also shows a very high photohemolysis rate at a concentration of 0.95 mg mL^-1. The extracted compounds are also found to be temperature dependent. Multiple absorption peaks are also shown for tested extract both in ultraviolet region (at the wavelengths 314, 360nm) and in the visible region (at 445, 492 and 667nm). Results of the present investigation clearly show the potential of the light- and temperature-dependent extracted compounds as a new member of the photodynamic therapeutics. It is possible therefore that the claimed chicory-induced death of white sheep is simply a direct result of phototoxicity.