Psoralen

Psoralen belongs to the family of furanocoumarins that intercalates and induces interstrand cross-links in DNA. On UV exposure psoralen is excited leading to irreversible intercalation with DNA by covalent bond formation. This property of psoralen ultraviolet A light (PUVA) is exploited in treating skin diseases and cutaneous T-cell lymphoma. It may be useful in treating osteoporosis.