Nitric oxide and singlet oxygen photo-generation by light irradiation in the phototherapeutic window of a nitrosyl ruthenium conjugated with a phthalocyanine rare earth complex

The photochemical, photophysical and photobiological studies of a mixture containing cis-[Ru(H-dcbpy−)2(Cl)(NO)] (H2-dcbpy = 4,4′-dicarboxy-2,2′-bipyridine) and Na4[Tb(TsPc)(acac)] (TsPc = tetrasulfonated phthalocyanines; acac = acetylacetone), a system capable of improving photodynamic therapy (PDT), were accomplished. cis-[Ru(H-dcbpy−)2(Cl)(NO)] was obtained from cis-[Ru(H2-dcbpy)2Cl2]·2H2O, whereas Na4[Tb(TsPc)(acac)] was obtained by reacting phthalocyanine with terbium acetylacetonate. The UV–Vis spectrum of cis-[Ru(H-dcbpy−)2(Cl)(NO)] displays a band in the region of 305 nm (λmax in 0.1 mol L−1 HCl)(π–π∗) and a shoulder at 323 nm (MLCT), while the UV–Vis spectrum of Na4[Tb(TsPc)(acac)] presents the typical phthalocyanine bands at 342 nm (Soret λmax in H2O) and 642, 682 (Q bands). The cis-[Ru(H-dcbpy−)2(Cl)(NO)] FTIR spectrum displays a band at 1932 cm−1 (Ru–NO+). The cyclic voltammogram of the cis-[Ru(H-dcbpy−)2(Cl)(NO)] complex in aqueous solution presented peaks at E = 0.10 V (NO+/0) and E = −0.50 V (NO0/−) versus Ag/AgCl. The NO concentration and 1O2 quantum yield for light irradiation in the λ > 550 nm region were measured as [NO] = 1.21 ± 0.14 μmol L−1 and øOS = 0.41, respectively. The amount of released NO seems to be dependent on oxygen concentration, once the NO concentration measured in aerated condition was 1.51 ± 0.11 μmol L−1 The photochemical pathway of the cis-[Ru(H-dcbpy−)2(Cl)(NO)]/Na4[Tb(TsPc)(acac)] mixture could be attributed to a photoinduced electron transfer process. The cytotoxic assays of cis-[Ru(H-dcbpy-)2(Cl)(NO)] and of the mixture carried out with B16F10 cells show a decrease in cell viability to 80% in the dark and to 20% under light irradiation. Our results document that the simultaneous production of NO and 1O2 could improve PDT and be useful in cancer treatment.

The photoinduced electron transfer studies of an aqueous solution containing nitrosyl ruthenium complex and rare earth complex are discussed in this paper.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slide