Protonation salt derivative with heavy-atom effect on phthalocyanine for enhanced in vitro photodynamic therapy

• The complex of two anticancer drugs is prepared and has simple prepare process.
• The complex can improve the water solubility.
• Heavy atom effect have high photochemical property.
• The complex can be effectively taken up by cancer cells.
• Heavy atom effect can greatly improve in vitro anticancer activity.

In order to improve water-solubility and photodynamic activity of 2(3), 9(10), 16(17), 23(24)-tetra-((amino)methyl)phenoxy)phthalocyaninato-zinc (ZnPc) simultaneously, here, we present the first attempt to introduce heavy atoms (Br and I) to ZnPc though a simple method by synthesizing the hydrobromide and hydriodate protonation salt derivatives of ZnPc. Researches indicated that these protonation salt derivatives of ZnPc can stably disperse in aqueous system for a long time. Furthermore, the internal heavy atom effect from hydriodate in the ZnPc molecules enhances the intersystem crossing (ISC) efficiency of ZnPc during its photo-exciting process. Therefore, the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROSs), especially singlet oxygen (1O2), is significantly improved, which leads to an improved in vitro photodynamic therapy (PDT).

Heavy atoms (Br and I) were introduced to 2(3), 9(10), 16(17), 23(24)-tetra-((amino)methyl)phenoxy)phthalocyaninato-zinc (ZnPc) though a simple method by synthesizing the hydrobromide and hydriodate protonation salt derivatives of ZnPc. And the photodynamic activity of the derivative can be greatly improved through heavy atoms effect.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slide