The sensitizing capacity of helenin and of two of its main constituents, the sesquiterpene lactones alantolactone and isoalantolactone: a comparison of epicutaneous and intradermal sensitizing methods in different strains of guinea pig

Abstract

The sensitizing capacities of helenin (an extract from a Compositae Inula helenium L.), alantolactone and isoalantolactone (two isomeric sesquiterpene lactones), were assessed by sensitizing guinea pigs of different strains: albino Himalayan spotted, Pirbright and Hartley. Both alantolactone and isoalantolactone are found to be sensitizers if injected intradermally. Only Pirbright guinea pigs showed a high sensitization rate by the open epicutaneous technique; with this method, alantolactone was the more potent sertsitizer.