# DERMATOCHEMISTRY OF ALLERGENS AND PHOTOSENSITIZERS

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA-IRVINE · 1991 · $148,479

## Abstract

Dematologists estimate that 15% of the cases of skin allergy diagnosed in
dermatology clinics involve plant-derived toxins and photosensitizers.
Our studies have clearly established the presence of a large group of
novel allergens that can bring about severe delayed hypersensitivity
reactions and immunological inflammations. In this competing
continuation, we are requesting continuing support for our collaborative
phytochemical and dermatoxicological investigations of novel
phytoallergens and photosensitizers. We specifically propose to: (i)
expand our phytochemical investigations of new and unstudied allergenic
plants from arid and tropical/subtropical zones of the United States and
Mexico; (ii) elucidate the structures of novel contact allergens and
photoallergens and investigate the molecular mechanisms of action,
toxicity and potential medicinal value of these compounds, (iii0
determine the dermatological role of urocanic acid, an important skin
metabolite that interacts with photoallergens to either promote or
prevent allergic reactions; and (iv) investigate the mutagenic and/or
carcinogenic potential of potent contact allergens that cleave DNA.

The knowledge of molecular structure, immunological response and
dermatotoxicity of contact allergens will provide dermatologists with
fundamental information for diaagnosing, and treating natural product-
induced allergies and photosensitizations.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 3127904
- **Project number:** 5R01AI018398-09
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA-IRVINE
- **SAM.gov UEI:** MJC5FCYQTPE6
- **Principal Investigator:** ELOY RODRIGUEZ
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 1991
- **Award amount:** $148,479
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1982-05-01 → 1994-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/3127904

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 3127904, DERMATOCHEMISTRY OF ALLERGENS AND PHOTOSENSITIZERS (5R01AI018398-09). Retrieved via MORVS 2026-10-25 from https://api.morvs.ai/grant/nih/3127904. Licensed CC0.

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