Philodendron scandens Koch et Sello subsp. oxycardium (Schott) Bunting, a New Source of Allergenic Alkyl Resorcinols.

Abstract

The allergenic activity of P. scandens, ssp. oxycardium (Araceae) was investigated. Patch testing on volunteers and chromatographic separation of extracts of the plant led (after structural determination of the pure active component) to the proposal that 5-heptadecatri-8(Z),11(Z),14(Z)-enylresorcinol is the allergenic constituent. A possible biosynthetic precursor of the allergen was isolated and identified. From the results of various extraction procedures the allergenic principles are believed to be associated with the cuticle. [Recently, P. scandens ssp. oxycardium has been reported to cause allergenic contact dermatitis among gardeners working with the plant. As occupational allergic contact dermatitis is a problem of growing importance in the greenhouse industry, P. scandens ssp. oxycardium was phytochemically examined to reveal the structures of the involved allergens.].