Tumor-selective new piperazine-fragmented silicon phthalocyanines initiate cell death in breast cancer cell lines

Trifluoromethyl-pyrrolidone phthalocyanine nanoparticles for targeted lipid droplet imaging and in vitro photodynamic therapy in breast cancer cells

Lipid droplets (LDs) serve as vital subcellular organelles, crucial for the maintenance of lipid and energy homeostasis within cells. Their visualization is of significant value for elucidating the intricate interactions between LDs and other cellular organelles. Despite the importance of LDs, the literature on the utilization of phthalocyanine-based photosensitizers for targeted LD imaging and two-photon imaging-guided photodynamic therapy (PDT) remains sparse. In this study, we have designed and synthesized trifluoromethyl-pyrrolidone silicon phthalocyanine (PyCF3SiPc). To enhance the water solubility of PyCF3SiPc and improve its tumor cells accumulation, we employed 1,2-distearoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine-N-[methoxy(poly(ethylene glycol))-2000] (DSPE-mPEG2000) as a nanocarrier, thereby formulating DSPE@PyCF3SiPc nanoparticles. Our in vitro experiments in MCF-7 cells demonstrated that DSPE@PyCF3SiPc selectively targets and visualizes LDs, offering a reliable tool for tracking their dynamic movement. Moreover, DSPE@PyCF3SiPc demonstrates considerable phototoxicity against MCF-7 cells subjected to PDT underscoring its potential as an effective therapeutic agent. In conclusion, DSPE@PyCF3SiPc presents itself as a promising novel probe for the dual purpose of monitoring the dynamic movement of LDs and guiding imaging-assisted PDT. The development of this nanoparticle system not only advances our understanding of LD biology but also paves the way for innovative therapeutic strategies in oncology.

A piperazine-substituted phthalocyanine with rapid cellular uptake and dual organelle-targeting for in vitro photodynamic therapy

The rational design of photosensitizers with rapid cellular uptake and dual-organelle targeting ability is essential for enhancing the efficacy of photodynamic therapy (PDT). However, achieving this goal is a great challenge. In this paper, a novel axial piperazine substituted (PIP) silicon phthalocyanine (PIP-SiPc) has been synthesized. The PIP substitution significantly improved the cellular uptake of PIP-SiPc in MCF-7 breast cancer cells, as demonstrated by two-photon fluorescence imaging combined with fluorescence correlation spectroscopy. Additionally, PIP-SiPc was able to target both mitochondria and lysosomes simultaneously. Notably, PIP-SiPc exhibited remarkable singlet oxygen generation ability, leading to apoptosis in cancer cells upon irradiation, with an IC50 value of only 0.2 µM. These findings highlight the effectiveness of PIP-SiPc as a multifunctional photosensitizer for PDT.

Synthesis and characterization of novel Schiff base-silicon (IV) phthalocyanine complex for photodynamic therapy of breast cancer cell lines

BACKGROUND

Photodynamic therapy is an alternative anticancer treatment approach that promises high therapeutic efficacy. In this study, it is aimed to investigate the PDT-mediated anticancer effects of newly synthesized silicon phthalocyanine (SiPc) molecules on MDA-MB-231, MCF-7 breast cancer cell lines, and non-tumorigenic MCF-10A breast cell line.

METHODS

Novel bromo substituted Schiff base (3a), its nitro homolog (3b), and their silicon complexes (SiPc-5a and SiPc-5b) were synthesized. Their proposed structures were confirmed by FT-IR, NMR, UV-vis and MS instrumental techniques. MDA-MB-231, MCF-7 and MCF-10A cells were illuminated at a light wavelength of 680 nm for 10 min, giving a total irradiation dose of 10 j/cm². MTT assay was used to determine the cytotoxic effects of SiPc-5a and SiPc-5b. Apoptotic cell death was analyzed using flow cytometry. Changes in the mitochondrial membrane potential were determined by TMRE staining. Intracellular ROS generation was observed microscopically using H₂DCFDA dye. Colony formation assay and in vitro scratch assay were performed to analyze the clonogenic activity and cell motility. Transwell migration and matrigel invasion analyzes were conducted to observe changes in the migration and invasion status of the cells.

RESULTS

The combination of SiPc-5a and SiPc-5b with PDT exhibited cytotoxic effects on cancer cells and triggered cell death. SiPc-5a/PDT and SiPc-5b/PDT decreased mitochondrial membrane potential and increased intracellular ROS production. Statistically significant changes were detected in cancer cells' colony-forming ability and motility. SiPc-5a/PDT and SiPc-5b/PDT reduced cancer cells' migration and invasion capacities.

CONCLUSION

The present study identifies PDT-mediated antiproliferative, apoptotic, and anti-migratory characteristics of novel SiPc molecules. The outcomes of this study emphasize the anticancer properties of these molecules and suggest that they may be evaluated as drug-candidate molecules for therapeutic purposes.

Synthesis of Novel Lipophilic Polyamines via Ugi Reaction and Evaluation of Their Anticancer Activity

Natural polyamines (PAs) are involved in the processes of proliferation and differentiation of cancer cells. Lipophilic synthetic polyamines (LPAs) induce the cell death of various cancer cell lines. In the current paper, we have demonstrated a new method for synthesis of LPAs via the multicomponent Ugi reaction and subsequent reduction of amide groups by PhSiH₃. The anticancer activity of the obtained compounds was evaluated in the A-549, MCF7, and HCT116 cancer cell lines. For the first time, it was shown that the anticancer activity of LPAs with piperazine fragments is comparable with that of aliphatic LPAs. The presence of a diglyceride fragment in the structure of LPAs appears to be a key factor for the manifestation of high anticancer activity. The findings of the study strongly support further research in the field of LPAs and their derivatives.

BSA/DNA binding behavior and the photophysicochemical properties of novel water soluble zinc(II)phthalocyanines directly substituted with piperazine groups

In the current research, two novel zinc(II) phthalocyanines (ZnPcs) (1 and 2) directly connecting with 4-(4-methylpiperazin-1-yl)phenyl groups have been synthesized through the Suzuki-Miyaura coupling reaction. These ZnPcs 1 and 2 were converted to their water-soluble derivatives (1Q and 2Q) by quaternization. The photochemical and photophysical properties were determined in DMSO for the non-ionic zinc(II) phthalocyanines (1 and 2) and in both DMSO and aqueous solutions for the quaternized cationic derivatives (1Q and 2Q) to establish their photosensitizer capabilities in photodynamic therapy (PDT). The spectrofluorometric and spectrophotometric techniques were employed for the determination of interaction between water-soluble ZnPcs (1Q and 2Q) and BSA or ct-DNA. The binding constants of these compounds to BSA were found in the order of 10⁸ M^-1. The binding constant of the ct-DNA interaction with 2Q (1.09 × 10⁵ M^-1) was found higher than 1Q (6.87 × 10⁴ M^-1). The thermodynamic constants were determined for both 1Q and 2Q. The endothermic and spontaneous nature of interaction was observed with ct-DNA. Besides, the thermal denaturation and viscosity studies proved the non-intercalative mode of binding for both compounds to ct-DNA.

Synthesis, Spectroscopic Properties and Redox Behavior Kinetics of Rare-Earth Bistetrakis-4-[3-(3,4-dicyanophenoxy)phenoxy]phthalocyaninato Metal Complexes with Er, Lu and Yb

Novel bistetrakis-4-[3-(3,4-dicyanophenoxy)phenoxy]phthalocyaninato of complexes erbium, lutetium and ytterbium were synthesized using a template fusion method to prevent any polymerization process. The complexes were separated from the reaction mixtures and characterized by NMR, IR and electron absorption spectroscopy. The spectroscopic properties of the metal phthalocyaninates in chloroform, acetone and tetrahydrofuran were studied. The regular bathochromic shift in the Er-Yb-Lu series was determined. In acetone medium all the complexes obtained were found to exist in an equilibrium state between neutral and reduced forms. The linearity of Lambert-Bouger-Beer curves makes it possible to study the kinetics of redox processes in the presence of phenylhydrazine and bromine. The lutetium complex showed better reducing properties and turned fully into the reduced form, while the erbium and ytterbium ones changed only partially. Upon oxidizing all the phthalocyaninates transformed into a mixture of oxidized and neutral-radical forms. The extinction coefficients and effective redox constants were calculated.