2003 Folia Pharm. Univ. Carol. 29—30 Pag. 107—111



Tubifex tubifex -- a sensitive organism to the activity of phototoxins

Jitka Vytlačilová1 (vytlacij@faf.cuni.cz), Vladimír Chobot1, Jana Klečáková1, Luděk Jahodář1, Lubomír Opletal1, Milan Pour2

1 Department of Pharmaceutical Botany and Ecology, 2 Laboratory of Structure and Interactions of Biologically Active Molecules, Department of Inorganic and Organic Chemistry, Charles University in Prague, Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Králové, Czech Republic



Summary

The effect of two natural photosensitizers (E)-1-[5-(hept-5-en-1,3-diynyl)thien-2-yl]ethan-1,2-diol and 8-methoxypsoralen (xanthotoxin) on aquatic worms Tubifex tubifex Müll. (Tubificidae) and UV-A radiation was studied. The activity was evaluated by a stereomicroscope and scanning electron microscope. Deep ruptures of epidermis, sub-dermal bleeding and destruction of whole body segments of the worms could be observed.



Images

Fig. 1: Tubifex tubifex photodynamic effect of the thiophene polyine.
A B
 The body surface was becoming oedematous.
(SM, 30x)		  Total segment destruction.
(SEM, 50x)

Fig. 2: Tubifex tubifex photodynamic effect of xanthotoxin.
A B
 Pearl-like structure of the body.
(SM, 15x)		  Rupture of the epidermis.
(SEM, 130x)

Fig. 3: Control Tubifex tubifex
A B
 (SM, 30x)  (SEM, 60x)