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Urushiol/ʊˈruːʃi.ɒl/ is an oily mixture oforganic compounds withallergenic properties found inplants of thefamilyAnacardiaceae, especiallyToxicodendronspp. (e.g.,poison oak,Chinese lacquer tree,poison ivy,poison sumac),Comocladia spp. (maidenplums),Metopium spp. (poisonwood), and also in parts of themango tree and the fruit of thecashew tree.[1][2][3][4][5][6]
In most individuals, urushiol causes an allergicskin rash on contact,[7] known asurushiol-induced contact dermatitis.
The name urushiol is derived from theJapanese word for the lacquer tree,Toxicodendron vernicifluum (漆,urushi).[8] Theoxidation and polymerization of urushiol in the tree's sap in the presence of moisture allows it to form a hardlacquer, which is used to produce traditional Chinese, Korean, and Japaneselacquerware.
Although urushiol-containinglacquers and their skin-irritating properties were well known in East Asia for several millennia beforehand, its first recorded Western texts were in 1624 byJohn Smith where he initially likened poison ivy toEnglish ivy.[9] He did not classify it as a poison at first due to the speed with which its rash disappeared and Smith hypothesized that there may actually be medicinal uses for the plant.[9] In the 18th and 19th centuries, many experiments were done in this area to determine whether or not this theory was true. Because medicine was dominated by plant-based treatments at the time, physicians were hopeful that the strong effect this chemical produced on the body could be effective in some way.
André-Ignace-Joseph Dufresnoy was one of the first to come up with a medicinal use for this chemical in 1780 when he boiled poison ivy to produce an infusion for internal use.[9] This led to a distilled extract of poison ivy which he prescribed to many people suffering from skin problems and even paralysis. He claimed this treatment to have yielded several positive results.[9]
For many years, poison ivy was thought to fall into theRhus genus; however, in the 1900s, it was reclassified into a more appropriate genus,Toxicodendron, meaningpoison tree.[9] There were many documented cases of irritations and allergic reactions from the plant, and its prevalence in medicinal use quickly dwindled. After this new categorization, scientists began attempts to determine what it was that rendered plants of this genus noxious, starting with a hypothesis of a volatile oil present in the plants.[9]
While this proved incorrect, Rikou Majima from Japan was able to determine that the chemical urushiol was the irritant. Further, he determined that the substance was a type of alkyl catechol, and due to its structure it was able to penetrate the skin and survive on surfaces for months to years.[9] Urushiol's ability to polymerise into a hard glossy coating is the chemical basis for traditional lacquerware in many Asian countries.[10] After urushiol comes in contact with oxygen, under certain conditions it becomes a black lacquer and has been namedurushi lacquer.[11]
Urushiol in its pure form is a pale-yellowliquid with adensity of about 0.968 g/mL and aboiling point of 200 °C (392 °F). It is soluble indiethyl ether,acetone,ethanol,carbon tetrachloride, andbenzene.[12][13]
Urushiol is a mixture of several closely relatedorganic compounds. Each consists of acatechol substituted in the 3 position with ahydrocarbon chain that has 15 or 17 carbon atoms. The hydrocarbon group may besaturated or unsaturated. The exact composition of the mixture varies, depending on the plant source. Whereaswestern poison oak urushiol contains chiefly catechols with C17 side-chains,[14] poison ivy and poison sumac contain mostly catechols with C15 sidechains.
The likelihood and severity of allergic reaction to urushiol is dependent on the degree ofunsaturation of thehydrocarbon chain. Less than half of the general population experience a reaction with the saturated urushiol alone, but over 90% do so with urushiol that contains at least twodegrees of unsaturation (double bonds). Longer side chains tend to produce a stronger reaction.[15]
Urushiol is anoleoresin contained within the sap ofpoison ivy and related plants, and after injury to the plant, or late in the fall, the sap leaks to the surface of the plant, where under certain temperature and humidity conditions the urushiol becomes a blackishlacquer after being in contact withoxygen.[15][16][11] Urushi lacquer is very stable. It is able to withstand disturbances from alkali, acid, and alcohol, while also being able to resist temperatures of over 300 °C. However, the lacquer can be degraded by UV rays from the sun and other sources.[10]
Within the United States, urushiol-containing plants are widely distributed. Poison ivy can be found in all states except California, Alaska, and Hawaii. Poison oak can be found on the west coast or in some states in the southeast, while poison sumac can be found only in the eastern half of the country.[17]
These plants all have distinguishing features that will help in identification. Poison ivy always grows with groups of three glossy, pointed leaflets on leaves that alternate along the branch (in contrast to similar looking leaves of boxelder which has opposite leaves). Poison oak has a similar appearance, but with larger and more rounded lobes, with a light, velvetypubescence and grow in groups of 3, 5, or 7. Poison sumac grows in groups of 7 to 13 leaflets, always an odd number. The leaflets are ovate-lanceolate and glossy.[18]
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Before the urushiol has been absorbed by the skin, it can be removed with a washcloth using soap and water. Substantial amounts of urushiol may be absorbed within minutes. Once urushiol has penetrated the skin, attempting to remove it with water is ineffective.[15] After being absorbed by the skin, it is recognized by theimmune system'sdendritic cells, otherwise calledLangerhans cells. These cells then migrate to thelymph nodes, where they present the urushiol toT-lymphocytes and thus recruit them to the skin, and the T-lymphocytes cause pathology through the production ofcytokines andcytotoxic damage to the skin.[19] This causes the painful rash, blisters, and itching.
Once this response starts, only a few treatments, such ascortisone orprednisone, are effective.[9] Medications that can reduce the irritation includeantihistamines (diphenhydramine (Benadryl) orcetirizine (Zyrtec)). Other treatments include applying cold water orcalamine lotion to soothe the pain and stop the itching.[9]
Research conducted on urushiol byMahmoud ElSohly led to the development ofPDC-APB, a candidate for a vaccine against skin irritation frompoison ivy.[20]
To cause anallergic dermatitis reaction, the urushiol is first oxidized to create two double-bonded oxygens on the chemical. It then reacts with a proteinnucleophile to trigger a reaction within the skin.Dermatitis is mediated by anacquired immune response. Urushiol is too small to directly activate an immune response. Instead, it attaches to certain proteins of the skin, where it acts as ahapten, leading to atype IV hypersensitivity reaction.[21][self-published source?][22]
Hydrocortisone, the active ingredient in cortisone, works to alleviate this condition by stopping the release of chemicals that cause the dermatitis reaction.[23] Hydrocortisone itself does not react with urushiol in any way.
