Phytophotodermatitis due to Ruta graveolens

Abstract

We report phytophotodermatitis in a 5-year-old boy, his 6-year-old sister and his mother, evoked by their handling common rue (Ruta graveolens), a plant which contains psoralens. Psoralens are photoactive chemicals which, when rubbed on the skin, react with sunlight to produce erythema, hyperpigmentation and blistering. Phytophotodermatitis is an uncommon cause of such ill-effects, in children.

Tego dermatitis

“…Symptoms described for R. chalepensis are similar to those reported recently for R. graveolens from Scotland (6) and Oregon, USA (7). In both cases, phytophotodermatitis was induced by leaves of the plant when these were used to ward off mosquitoes.…”

Phytophotodermatitis due to common rue (Ruta graveolens)

“…Ruta graveolens was known by the ancients to produce a pustular eruption on the hands (7), but little attention has been focussed on the problem recently. The dermatitis results from a phototoxic reaction due to the furocoumarins 5and 8-methoxypsoralen which are present in the plant (8,9).…”

Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors from Aerial Parts of Ruta Chalepensis Grown in Jordan

“…Contact dermatitis and photoxicity characterized by erythema, itching and burning of the skin is a common toxic effect, which is usually associated with all Ruta species (Gijon et al 1995;Heskel et al 1983). Mutagenicity of this plant has been found to be mediated by furoquinoline alkaloids and furocoumarins upon prolonged exposure to sunshine (Chimmer and Kuhne, 1990;Paulini et al 1987).…”