angelicin

Angelicin is the parent compound in a family of naturally occurring organic compounds known as the angular furanocoumarins. Structurally, it can be considered as benzapyra-2-one fused with a furan moiety in the 7,8-position. Angelicin is commonly found in certain Apiaceae and Fabaceae plant species such as Bituminaria bituminosa. It has a skin permeability coefficient (LogKp) of -2.46. The maximum absorption is observed at 300 nm. The 1HNMR spectrum is available; the infrared and mass spectra of angelicin can be found in this database. The sublimation of angelicin occurs at 120 °C and the pressure of 0.13 Pa. Angelicin is a coumarin.

== History and etymology == Humans have used plants rich in angelicin for centuries. The earliest known record dates back to 3000 BC when ancient Egyptians applied the oil and sap of local Apiaceae species exposing their skin to sunlight to cure vitiligo. In meantime, tribes in India used Psoralea corylifolia which contained psoralen, the isomer of angelicin. Humans also attempted to harvest the plants as an alternative food source. However, most of them turned out to be unpalatable and toxic such as Angelica archangelica due to the ability to irritate skin and damage internal organs. left|thumb|192x192px|Angelica archangelica The name "angelicin" stems from the aforementioned plant, Angelica. This Latin name originated in medieval Europe where this plant was also used as a universal treatment to many types of disease not mentioning the bubonic plague. At this time, people believed that the plant could prevent the soul from being taken over by sorcery, curse and evil spirit (add reference). Angelica would have appeared in a dream with an angel explaining its applications, hence the name. Ironically, it was later discovered that the plant's oil is toxic when utilized in large quantities particularly when the plant was fresh.