Abstract
Hydroperoxides of d-limonene were shown to be potent contact allergens when studied in guinea-pigs. Limonene-2-hydroperoxide (2-hydroperoxy-p-mentha-6,8-diene, a mixture of trans and cis isomers) was synthesized for the first time. The ratio between the trans and cis forms was 3∶1. These two hydroperoxides were identified as the major hydroperoxides in autoxidized d-limonene. In photooxidized d-limonene, they constituted a minor part of the hydroperoxide fraction. Hydroperoxides may bind to proteins of the skin to make antigens either via a radical mechanism or after reactions to give epoxides. The cross-reactivity between the epoxide limonene-1,2-oxide, a potent contact allergen, and the hydroperoxides was therefore studied. No significant pattern of cross-reactivity was found. Further studies to identify and test the allergenicity of single hydroperoxides are needed to elucidate the mechanism of the allergenicity.
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Karlberg, A.T., Shao, L.P., Nilsson, U. et al. Hydroperoxides in oxidized d-limonene identified as potent contact allergens. Arch Dermatol Res 286, 97–103 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00370734
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00370734