(sŏr-ă-lĕn)
[Pronunciation]

One of a group of plant-derived chemicals that sensitize the skin to damage by ultraviolet light.
Drugs derived from psoralens, such as methoxsalen and trioxsalen, are used to treat vitiligo, psoriasis, and cutaneous T-cell lymphoma. Side effects from the use of psoralens may include drying and chapping of the skin and an increased risk of developing skin cancer.

See: psoriasis; PUVA therapy; vitiligo