Photobactericidal plastic films based on cellulose esterified by chloroacetate and a cationic porphyrin

Easy and versatile cellulosic support inhibiting broad spectrum strains: synergy between photodynamic antimicrobial therapy and polymyxin B

Despite advances achieved in the health field over the last decade, infections caused by resistant bacterial strains are an increasingly important societal issue that needs to be addressed. New approaches have already been developed to overcome this problem. Photodynamic antimicrobial chemotherapy (PACT) could provide a promising alternative method to eradicate microbes. This approach has already inspired the development of innovative surfaces. Interesting results were achieved against Gram-positive bacteria, but it also appeared that Gram-negative strains, especially Pseudomonas aeruginosa, were less sensitive to PACT. However, materials coated with cationic porphyrins have already proven their wide-spectrum activity, but these materials were not suitable for industrial-scale production. The main aim of this work was the design of a large-scale evolutionary material based on PACT and antibiotic prophylaxis. Transparent regenerated cellulose has been simply impregnated with a usual cationic porphyrin (N-methylpyridyl) and an antimicrobial peptide (polymyxin B). In addition to its photophysical properties, this film exhibited a wide-spectrum bactericidal activity over 4 days despite daily application of fresh bacterial inoculums. The efficiency of PACT and polymyxin B combination could help to reduce the emergence of bacterial multi-resistant strains and we believe that this kind of material would provide an excellent opportunity to prevent bacterial contamination of bandages or packaging.

Porphyrin Photosensitizers Grafted in Cellulose Supports: A Review

Cellulose is the most abundant natural biopolymer and owing to its compatibility with biological tissues, it is considered a versatile starting material for developing new and sustainable materials from renewable resources. With the advent of drug-resistance among pathogenic microorganisms, recent strategies have focused on the development of novel treatment options and alternative antimicrobial therapies, such as antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT). This approach encompasses the combination of photoactive dyes and harmless visible light, in the presence of dioxygen, to produce reactive oxygen species that can selectively kill microorganisms. Photosensitizers for aPDT can be adsorbed, entrapped, or linked to cellulose-like supports, providing an increase in the surface area, with improved mechanical strength, barrier, and antimicrobial properties, paving the way to new applications, such as wound disinfection, sterilization of medical materials and surfaces in different contexts (industrial, household and hospital), or prevention of microbial contamination in packaged food. This review will report the development of porphyrinic photosensitizers supported on cellulose/cellulose derivative materials to achieve effective photoinactivation. A brief overview of the efficiency of cellulose based photoactive dyes for cancer, using photodynamic therapy (PDT), will be also discussed. Particular attention will be devoted to the synthetic routes behind the preparation of the photosensitizer-cellulose functional materials.

Synthesis, characterization, and biological activities of new conjugates of Guanosine grafted on polyvinyl alcohol, carbohydrate chitosan, and cellulose

Guanosine (GU) is a purine nucleoside that has different biological applications. This study aimed to synthesize, characterize, and enhance the biological activities of GU through its covalently grafting on polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), chitosan (CS), and cellulose (CL). In this regard, the conjugation was constructed by different linkers such as chloroacetyl chloride, 2-bromopropionyl bromide, and epichlorohydrin (EPCH). The resulted novel conjugates were characterized by FT-IR, 1H-NMR, GPC, and TGA techniques. FT-IR spectra revealed the main characteristic groups, O–H, N–H, C=O and C=N of GU moieties. Furthermore, 1H-NMR spectra showed the aromatic C–H, O–H, and N–H protons of the grafted GU moieties. Two decomposition stages of grated polymers with high thermal stability are illustrated by TGA. GU showed no antifungal activity against Aspergillus fumigatus and Candida albicans. However, its conjugates: P-1A, P-1B, P-2A, P-2B, P-3A, and P-3B displayed significant antifungal effect with inhibitory zones in the range 8–11 mm. As compared to GU group, most of GU-polymer conjugates showed significant in vivo antitumor activity against EAC-bearing mice via the reduction in total tumor volume. In summary, these conjugates are biologically active macromolecules and may act as candidate carrier systems for other applications such as drug delivery.

Regioisomer-Directed Self-Assembly of Alternating Copolymers for Highly Enhanced Photocatalytic H2 Evolution

Porphyrin-based photocatalytic materials have received great attention, and the effect of the substituents, central ions, and aggregated structure on the catalysis performance has been studied up to now. Herein, we report the effect of porphyrin isomerism on their aggregated structures as well as the photocatalytic activity. Two trans- and cis-porphyrin-based alternating copolymers with the same compositions (P1 and P2) are successfully synthesized. It is found that P1 self-assembles into propeller-like nanoparticles and P2 into multilayer hollow nanospheres. Furthermore, the hydrogen production rate of P1 (5533 μmol g^-1 h^-1) is 30 times higher than that of P2 (173 μmol g^-1 h^-1). Mechanism studies reveal that the high photocatalytic properties of P1 originate from the more ordered arrangement of porphyrins than P2, which facilitates the mobility and separation of photoinduced carriers. We believe the covalent and noncovalent polymer self-assembly process as well as the isomerism effect as disclosed here will shed new light on the design of high performance photocatalysts.

Bactericidal efficiency of porphyrin systems

Photodynamic Inactivation is an innovative technique used to combat bacterial and viral infections which involves the use of photosensitizing agents along with light to generate cytotoxic reactive oxygen species able to kill bacteria and viruses. In the first section of this minireview, porphyrin-based fluorophores are shown to be remarkable dye candidates for PDI (photodynamic inactivation) applications. The second section is dedicated to the description of porphyrin-based antimicrobial materials and their potentialities for industrial applications such as in food packaging or antimicrobial medical devices and hygiene. Finally, the failings and perspectives of PDI are analyzed to demonstrate how the PDI technique could be an efficient and ecologically friendly antimicrobial technique.

Antibacterial Photoactivity and Thermal Stability of Tetra-cationic Porphyrins Immobilized on Cellulosic Fabrics

The thermal stability and photo-bactericidal effect of several tetra-cationic porphyrins and their zinc ion compounds immobilized onto cellulosic fabrics against S. aureus, P. aeruginosa, and E. coli were investigated and compared using a 100 W tungsten lamp. Immobilization of various concentrations of these photosensitizers onto cellulosic fabrics was carried out and characterized by ATR-FT-IR, DRS, TGA, and SEM. Applied cellulosic fabrics with the photosensitizers exhibited remarkable photo-stability, thermal stability, and antimicrobial activity against these studied strains.

BODIPY-embedded electrospun materials in antimicrobial photodynamic inactivation

Drug-resistant pathogens, particularly those that result in hospital acquired infections (HAIs), have emerged as a critical priority for the World Health Organization. To address the need for self-disinfecting materials to counter the threat posed by the transmission of these pathogens from surfaces to new hosts, here we investigated if a cationic BODIPY photosensitizer, embedded via electrospinning into nylon and polyacrylonitrile (PAN) nanofibers, was capable of inactivating both bacteria and viruses via antimicrobial photodynamic inactivation (aPDI). Materials characterization, including fiber morphology and the degree of photosensitizer loading, was assessed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), and UV-visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (UV-Vis DRS), and demonstrated that the materials were comprised of nanofibers (125-215 nm avg. diameter) that were thermostable to >300 °C. The antimicrobial potencies of the resultant Nylon-BODIPY⁽⁺⁾ and PAN-BODIPY⁽⁺⁾ nanofiber materials were evaluated against four strains of bacteria recognized by the World Health Organization as either critical or high priority pathogens: Gram-positive strains methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA; ATCC BAA-44) and vancomycin-resistant E. faecium (VRE; ATCC BAA-2320), and Gram-negative strains multidrug-resistant A. baumannii (MDRAB; ATCC BAA-1605) and NDM-1 positive K. pneumoniae (KP; ATCC BAA-2146). Our results demonstrated the detection limit (99.9999%; 6 log units reduction in CFU mL^-1) photodynamic inactivation of three strains upon illumination (30-60 min; 40-65 ± 5 mW cm^-2; 400-700 nm): MRSA, VRE, and MDRAB, but only minimal inactivation (47-75%) of KP. Antiviral studies employing PAN-BODIPY⁽⁺⁾ against vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV), a model enveloped virus, revealed complete inactivation. Taken together, the results demonstrate the potential for electrospun BODIPY⁽⁺⁾-embedded nanofiber materials as the basis for pathogen-specific anti-infective materials, even at low photosensitizer loadings.

Revisiting Current Photoactive Materials for Antimicrobial Photodynamic Therapy

Microbial infection is a severe concern, requiring the use of significant amounts of antimicrobials/biocides, not only in the hospital setting, but also in other environments. The increasing use of antimicrobial drugs and the rapid adaptability of microorganisms to these agents, have contributed to a sharp increase of antimicrobial resistance. It is obvious that the development of new strategies to combat planktonic and biofilm-embedded microorganisms is required. Photodynamic inactivation (PDI) is being recognized as an effective method to inactivate a broad spectrum of microorganisms, including those resistant to conventional antimicrobials. In the last few years, the development and biological assessment of new photosensitizers for PDI were accompanied by their immobilization in different supports having in mind the extension of the photodynamic principle to new applications, such as the disinfection of blood, water, and surfaces. In this review, we intended to cover a significant amount of recent work considering a diversity of photosensitizers and supports to achieve an effective photoinactivation. Special attention is devoted to the chemistry behind the preparation of the photomaterials by recurring to extensive examples, illustrating the design strategies. Additionally, we highlighted the biological challenges of each formulation expecting that the compiled information could motivate the development of other effective photoactive materials.

Antibacterial activity of a photosensitive hybrid cellulose fabric

A new photosensitive hybrid cellulose material, synthesized by polymerization of methacrylic acid (MAA) and PpIX, showed photoantibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus.

Enhancement of photobactericidal activity of chlorin-e6-cellulose nanocrystals by covalent attachment of polymyxin B

Following light irradiation, a new nanomaterial, elaborated from CNCs, chlorin-e6 and polymyxin B, demonstrated efficiency against Gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli,Pseudomonas aeruginosa) and Gram-positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus,Staphylococcus epidermidis).

A Perspective on the Trends and Challenges Facing Porphyrin-Based Anti-Microbial Materials

The emergence of multidrug resistant bacterium threatens to unravel global healthcare systems, built up over centuries of medical research and development. Current antibiotics have little resistance against this onslaught as bacterium strains can quickly evolve effective defense mechanisms. Fortunately, alternative therapies exist and, at the forefront of research lays the photodynamic inhibition approach mediated by porphyrin based photosensitizers. This review will focus on the development of various porphyrins compounds and their incorporation as small molecules, into polymers, fibers and thin films as practical therapeutic agents, utilizing photodynamic therapy to inhibit a wide spectrum of bacterium. The use of photodynamic therapy of these porphyrin molecules are discussed and evaluated according to their electronic and bulk material effect on different bacterium strains. This review also provides an insight into the general direction and challenges facing porphyrins and derivatives as full-fledged therapeutic agents and what needs to be further done in order to be bestowed their rightful and equal status in modern medicine, similar to the very first antibiotic; penicillin itself. It is hoped that, with this perspective, new paradigms and strategies in the application of porphyrins and derivatives will progressively flourish and lead to advances against disease.

Fluorinated Photodynamic Therapy Device Tips and their Resistance to Fouling for In Vivo Sensitizer Release

We describe progress on a one-step photodynamic therapy (PDT) technique that is simple: device tip delivery of sensitizer, oxygen and light simultaneously. Control is essential for their delivery to target sites to generate singlet oxygen. One potential problem is the silica device tip may suffer from biomaterial fouling and the pace of sensitizer photorelease is slowed. Here, we have used biomaterial (e.g. proteins, cells, etc.) from SQ20B head and neck tumors and whole blood for an assessment of fouling of the silica tips by adsorption. It was shown that by exchanging the native silica tip for a fluorinated tip, a better nonstick property led to an increased sensitizer output by ~10%. The fluorinated tip gave a sigmoidal photorelease where singlet oxygen is stabilized to physical quenching, whereas the native silica tip with unprotected SiO-H groups gave a slower (pseudolinear) photorelease. A further benefit from fluorinated silica is that 15% less biomaterial adheres to its surface compared to native silica based on a bicinchoninic acid assay (BCA) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) measurements. We discuss how the fluorination of the device tip increases biofouling resistance and can contribute to a new pointsource PDT tool.

Porphyrin-adsorbed Allograft Bone: A Photoactive, Antibiofilm Surface

BACKGROUND

Allograft bone is commonly used to augment bone stock. Unfortunately, allograft is prone to bacterial contamination and current antimicrobial therapies are inadequate. Photoactivated porphyrins combat bacterial growth by production of reactive oxygen species (ROS); however, to our knowledge, they have not been tested in the setting of allograft bone.

QUESTIONS/PURPOSES

We asked: (1) Does 5,10,15,20-tetrakis-(4-aminophenyl)-porphyrin (TAPP) stably adsorb to morselized, mineralized allograft? (2) Does Staphylococcus aureus acquire TAPP from TAPP-allograft? (3) Is TAPP-allograft antibacterial to S. aureus? (4) Is ROS production critical for antimicrobial activity? (5) Does illuminated TAPP-allograft dislodge biofilm? (6) Could other photoactive dyes (TAPP, TMPyP, TSP, THP, and methylene blue) confer antimicrobial properties to allograft?

METHODS

TAPP adsorption to allograft (TAPP-allograft), its localization in S. aureus, and TAPP-allograft long-term stability were determined spectrophotometrically. Antimicrobial activity was measured while activated with light or in the dark during incubation with S. aureus or after allograft biofilm formation. Glutathione was added to illuminated TAPP-allograft to quench ROS and antimicrobial activity was determined. Light-dependent antimicrobial activity of other photoactive dyes (TMPyP, TSP, THP, and methylene blue) adsorbed to allograft was also tested.

RESULTS

We found (1) porphyrins strongly adhere to bone allograft; and (2) the bacteria are not able to sequester TAPP from the TAPP-allograft; (3) when illuminated, TAPP-allograft is resistant to bacterial adherence; (4) the effects of TAPP are inhibited by the radical scavenger glutathione, indicating ROS-dependent antimicrobial activity; (5) illumination of TAPP-allograft disrupts biofilms; and, (6) other photoactive dyes impede biofilm formation on allograft bone in the presence of light.

CONCLUSIONS

Porphyrins stably associate with allograft and are inactive until illuminated. Illuminated TAPP-allograft markedly reduces bacterial colonization, which is restored in the presence of radical scavengers. Finally, illuminated TAPP-allograft disrupts biofilms.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

The findings of this in vitro study suggest that loading bone allograft with biocompatible porphyrins before surgery might allow increased sterility of the allograft during implantation. Future testing in an animal model will determine if these in vitro activities can be used to prevent allograft-based infection in an establishing osteomyelitis.

Photodynamic inactivation of bacteria using novel electrogenerated porphyrin-fullerene C60 polymeric films

A porphyrin-fullerene C60 dyad (TCP-C60) substituted by carbazoyl groups was used to obtain electrogenerated polymeric films on optically transparent indium tin oxide (ITO) electrodes. This approach produced stable and reproducible polymers, holding fullerene units. The properties of this film were compared with those formed by layers of TCP/TCP-C60 and TCP/ZnTCP. Absorption spectra of the films presented the Soret and Q bands of the corresponding porphyrins. The TCP-C60 film produced a high photodecomposition of 2,2-(anthracene-9,10-diyl)bis(methylmalonate), which was used to detect singlet molecular oxygen O2((1)Δg) production in water. In addition, the TCP-C60 film induced the reduction of nitro blue tetrazolium to diformazan in the presence of NADH, indicating the formation of superoxide anion radical. Moreover, photooxidation of L-tryptophan mediated by TCP-C60 films was found in water. In biological media, photoinactivation of Staphylococcus aureus was evaluated depositing a drop with 2.5 × 10(3) cells on the films. After 30 min irradiation, no colony formation was detected using TCP-C60 or TCP/TCP-C60 films. Furthermore, photocytotoxic activity was observed in cell suspensions of S. aureus and Escherichia coli. The irradiated TCP-C60 film produced a 4 log decrease of S. aureus survival after 30 min. Also, a 4 log reduction of E. coli viability was obtained using the TCP-C60 film after 60 min irradiation. Therefore, the TCP-C60 film is an interesting and versatile photodynamic active surface to eradicate bacteria.

Photosensitisers - the progression from photodynamic therapy to anti-infective surfaces

INTRODUCTION

The application of light as a stimulus in pharmaceutical systems and the associated ability to provide precise spatiotemporal control over location, wavelength and intensity, allowing ease of external control independent of environmental conditionals, has led to its increased use. Of particular note is the use of light with photosensitisers.

AREAS COVERED

Photosensitisers are widely used in photodynamic therapy to cause a cidal effect towards cells on irradiation due to the generation of reactive oxygen species. These cidal effects have also been used to treat infectious diseases. The effects and benefits of photosensitisers in the treatment of such conditions are still being developed and further realised, with the design of novel delivery strategies. This review provides an overview of the realisation of the pharmaceutically relevant uses of photosensitisers, both in the context of current research and in terms of current clinical application, and looks to the future direction of research.

EXPERT OPINION

Substantial advances have been and are being made in the use of photosensitisers. Of particular note are their antimicrobial applications, due to absence of resistance that is so frequently associated with conventional treatments. Their potency of action and the ability to immobilise to polymeric supports is opening a wide range of possibilities with great potential for use in healthcare infection prevention strategies.

Porphyrin-based honeycomb films and their antibacterial activity

Micrometer-sized porous honeycomb-patterned thin films based on hybrid complexes formed via electrostatic interaction between Mn(III) meso-tetra(4-sulfonatophenyl) porphine chloride (an acid form, {MnTPPS}) and dimethyldioctadecylammonium bromide (DODMABr). The morphology of the microporous thin films can be well regulated by controlling the concentration of MnTPPS-DODMA complexes, DODMABr, and polystyrene (PS), respectively. The formation of the microporous thin films was largely influenced by different solvents. The well-ordered microporous films of MnTPPS-DODMA complexes exhibit a more efficient antibacterial activity under visible light than those of hybrid complexes of nanoparticles modified with DODMABr, implying that well-ordered microporous films containing porphyrin composition can improve photochemical activity and more dominance in applications in biological medicine fields.

Chemistry and applications of polysaccharide solutions in strong electrolytes/dipolar aprotic solvents: an overview

Biopolymers and their derivatives are being actively investigated as substitutes for petroleum-based polymers. This has generated an intense interest in investigating new solvents, in particular for cellulose, chitin/chitosan, and starch. This overview focuses on recent advances in the dissolution and derivatization of these polysaccharides in solutions of strong electrolytes in dipolar aprotic solvents. A brief description of the molecular structures of these biopolymers is given, with emphases on the properties that are relevant to derivatization, namely crystallinity and accessibility. The mechanism of cellulose dissolution is then discussed, followed by a description of the strategies employed for the synthesis of cellulose derivatives (carboxylic acid esters, and ethers) under homogeneous reaction conditions. The same sequence of presentation has been followed for chitin/chitosan and starch. Future perspectives for this subject are summarized, in particular with regard to compliance with the principles of green chemistry.

Photobactericidal porphyrin-cellulose nanocrystals: synthesis, characterization, and antimicrobial properties

Adherence and survival of pathogenic bacteria on surfaces leading to concomitant transmission to new hosts significantly contributes to the proliferation of pathogens, which in turn considerably increases the threat to human health, particularly by antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Consequently, more research into effective surface disinfection and alternative materials (fabrics, plastics, or coatings) with antimicrobial and other bioactive characteristics is desirable. This report describes the synthesis and characterization of cellulose nanocrystals that were surface-modified with a cationic porphyrin. The porphyrin was appended onto the cellulose surface via the Cu(I)-catalyzed Huisgen-Meldal-Sharpless 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition having occurred between azide groups on the cellulosic surface and porphyrinic alkynes. The resulting, generally insoluble, crystalline material, CNC-Por (5), was characterized by infrared and diffusion (1)H NMR spectroscopies, gel permeation chromatography, and thermogravimetric analysis. Although only suspended, and not dissolved, in an aqueous system, CNC-Por (5) showed excellent efficacy toward the photodynamic inactivation of Mycobacterium smegmatis and Staphylococcus aureus , albeit only slight activity against Escherichia coli . The synthesis, properties, and activity of CNC-Por (5) described herein serve as a benchmark toward our overall objectives of developing novel, potent, bioactive, photobactericidal materials that are effective against a range of bacteria, with potential utilization in the health care and food preparation industries.

Phage therapy and photodynamic therapy: low environmental impact approaches to inactivate microorganisms in fish farming plants

Owing to the increasing importance of aquaculture to compensate for the progressive worldwide reduction of natural fish and to the fact that several fish farming plants often suffer from heavy financial losses due to the development of infections caused by microbial pathogens, including multidrug resistant bacteria, more environmentally-friendly strategies to control fish infections are urgently needed to make the aquaculture industry more sustainable. The aim of this review is to briefly present the typical fish farming diseases and their threats and discuss the present state of chemotherapy to inactivate microorganisms in fish farming plants as well as to examine the new environmentally friendly approaches to control fish infection namely phage therapy and photodynamic antimicrobial therapy.