Progress on phthalocyanine-conjugated Ag and Au nanoparticles: Synthesis, characterization, and photo-physicochemical properties

Anticancer photodynamic activities of triphenylphosphine-labelled phthalocyanines and their bovine serum albumin-gold nanoparticles- complexes on melanoma A375 cell lines in vitro

This work reports on the synthesis of triphenylphosphine-labelled cationic phthalocyanines (Pc) complexed with bovine serum albumin (BSA) and gold nanoparticles (Au NPs). This nano-complex (Pc-BSA-Au) is studied for its photodynamic therapy (PDT) activity compared to the non-complexed Pc counterpart. The photochemical properties and in vitro PDT efficacies of the Pc and the nano-complex were determined and are compared herein. The singlet oxygen (1O2) yields of the Pcs were determined and are reported in DMF. A singlet oxygen quantum yield of 0.47 was obtained for the Pcs. The PDT efficacies of the complexes were thereafter determined using malignant melanoma A375 cancer cell line in vitro. An increase in the cell toxicity was observed for cells treated with Pc-BSA-Au compared to those treated with the Pc alone. The cell survival percentages were 23.1% for cells treated with Pc-BSA-Au and 48.7% for those treated with Pc alone under PDT treatments.

Recent advances in metal-organic framework/carbon nanotube nanocomposites for developing analytical applications

Nanoscience shows promise for scientific advancement in many sectors, such as biology, energy, materials, environment, and manufacturing. Nanocomposites are mixtures of two or more materials, one of which is nanosized particles. The composites are expected to show combined features resulting in general enhancements in their physical and chemical properties. Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are coordination polymers that have attracted attention from researchers in recent years due to their porosity and controllable functionality. Another example of interesting nanomaterials is carbon nanotubes (CNTs) which are also known for their mechanical and thermal properties. Incorporation of both these materials into a nanocomposite has shown an enhancement in properties and conquered challenges in the defects of construction. This mini-review sheds light on the recent synthetic approaches and characterization of MOF-CNT nanocomposites in order to access porous selective nanocomposites that can improve analyte detection in environmental matrixes and biological systems. A summary of the chemical composition of nanocomposites, analytes in the target, and analytical techniques used is provided.

New phthalonitrile/metal phthalocyanines-gold nanoparticle conjugates for biological applications

The appearance of nanoscience and its effect on the development of the scientific fields particularly materials chemistry have been well-known today. In this study, a new di-substituted phthalonitrile derivative namely...

The antibacterial and antifungal properties of neutral, octacationic and hexadecacationic Zn phthalocyanines when conjugated to silver nanoparticles

The syntheses and characterization of novel octacationic and hexadecacationic Pcs is reported. With the aim of enhancing singlet oxygen generation efficiencies and hence antimicrobial activities, these Pcs (including their neutral counterpart) are conjugated to Ag nanoparticles (AgNPs). The obtained results show that the conjugate composed of the neutral Pc has a higher loading of Pcs as well as a greater singlet oxygen quantum yield enhancement (in the presence of AgNPs) in DMSO. The antimicrobial efficiencies of the Pcs and their conjugates were evaluated and compared on S. aureus, E. coli and C. albicans. The cationic Pcs possess better activity than the neutral Pc against all the microorganisms with the hexadecacationic Pc being the best. This work therefore demonstrates that increase in the number of cationic charges on the reported Pcs results in enhanced antimicrobial activities, which is maintained even when conjugated to Ag nanoparticles. The high activity and lack of selectivity of the cationic Pcs when conjugated to Ag NPs against different microorganisms make them good candidates for real life antimicrobial treatments.