Kinetics of hypericin association with low-density lipoproteins

Biophysical Characterization and Anticancer Activities of Photosensitive Phytoanthraquinones Represented by Hypericin and Its Model Compounds

Photosensitive compounds found in herbs have been reported in recent years as having a variety of interesting medicinal and biological activities. In this review, we focus on photosensitizers such as hypericin and its model compounds emodin, quinizarin, and danthron, which have antiviral, antifungal, antineoplastic, and antitumor effects. They can be utilized as potential agents in photodynamic therapy, especially in photodynamic therapy (PDT) for cancer. We aimed to give a comprehensive summary of the physical and chemical properties of these interesting molecules, emphasizing their mechanism of action in relation to their different interactions with biomacromolecules, specifically with DNA.

Spectroscopic and photostability study of water-soluble hypericin encapsulated with polyvinylpyrrolidone

Hypericin has gained great attention as a powerful photosensitizing and fluorescent agent for photodynamic therapy (PDT) and fluorescence diagnosis (FD) of cancer. However, native hypericin is hydrophobic and nearly insoluble in aqueous media which hinders its photobiological activity. Herein, we demonstrate the encapsulation of hypericin and polyvinylpyrrolidone (hypericin@PVP) as an attractive class of water-soluble formula of hypericin with improved absorption and emission characteristics in water. The absorption and fluorescence properties of the water-soluble hypericin@PVP were studied at room temperature. Also, the photostability of the prepared hypericin@PVP was studied under visible light irradiation. The absorbance and emission measurements confirm the association and binding of hypericin and PVP with a binding constant (K_b) of 1.2 × 10⁵ M^-1. The interaction between hypericin and PVP in water could lead to the dissociation of aggregated hypericin into their monomeric state which is crucial for effective photobiological implementation in PDT and FD. Upon encapsulation with PVP, hypericin showed a significant increase in the fluorescence properties with an enhanced emission intensity of 300% at a PVP concentration of 1 × 10^-4 M. Moreover, water-soluble hypericin@PVP demonstrated high photostability under visible light irradiation with an irradiance of 15 mW/cm² and exposure time up to 150 min. This enhancement in the absorption, emission, and photostability of hypericin in water is related to the effects of encapsulation with PVP and the unique spectroscopic properties of the formulated hypericin@PVP.

Hypericin photodynamic activity in DPPC liposome. PART I: biomimetism of loading, location, interactions and thermodynamic properties

Hypericin (Hyp) is a potential photosensitizer drug for Photodynamic Therapy (PDT). However, the high lipophilicity of Hyp prevents its preparation in water. To overcome the Hyp solubility problem, this study uses the liposomal vesicle of DPPC. Otherwise liposome is also one of the most employed artificial systems that mimetizes cell membranes. Our present focus is the interaction of Hyp into DPPC liposome as biomimetic system. We studied the loading, interaction, and localization of Hyp (2.8 μmol L^-1) in DPPC (5.4 mmol L^-1) liposomes, as well as the thermodynamic aspects of Hyp-liposomes. The Hyp addition to the DPPC liposome dispersion showed a Encapsulation Efficiency for [Hyp] = 2.8 μmol L^-1 in [DPPC] = 5.3 mmol L^-1 of 74.3% and 89.3% at 30.0 and 50.0 °C, respectively. The encapsulation profile obeys a pseudo first-order kinetic law, with a rate constant of 1.26 × 10^-3 s^-1 at 30.0 °C. Also the data suggests this reaction is preceded by an extremely rapid step. A study on the binding of Hyp/DPPC liposomes (K_b), performed at several temperatures, showed results of 4.8 and 18.5 × 10³ L mol^-1 at 293 and 323 K, respectively. Additionally, a decrease was observed in the ΔG of the Hyp/DPPC interaction (-20.6 and - 26.4 kL mol^-1 at 293 and 323 K, respectively). The resulting ΔH > 0 with ΔS < 0 shows that the entropy is driven the process. Studies of Hyp location in the liposome at 298 K revealed the existence of two different Hyp populations with a Stern-Volmer constant (K_sv) of 4.65 and 1.87 L mol^-1 using iodide as an aquo-suppressor at concentration ranged from 0 to 0.025 mol L^-1 and from 0.025 to 0.150 mol L^-1, respectively. Furthermore, studies of Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer, using DPH as a donor and Hyp as an acceptor, revealed that Hyp is allocated in different binding sites of the liposome. This is dependent on temperature. Thermal studies revealed that the Hyp/DPPC formulation presented reasonable stability. Size and morphological investigations showed that Hyp incorporation increases the average size of DPPC liposomes from 116 to 154 nm. The study demonstrated the ability of the Hyp-DPPC liposome as an interesting system for drug delivery system that can be applied to PDT.

Biomedical Platform Development of a Chlorophyll-Based Extract for Topic Photodynamic Therapy: Mechanical and Spectroscopic Properties

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a therapeutic modality that has shown effectiveness in the inactivation of cancer cell lines and microorganisms. Treatment consists of activating the photosensitizer (PS) upon light irradiation of adequate wavelength. After reaching the excited state, the PS can handle the intersystem conversion through energy transfer to the molecular oxygen, generating reactive oxygen species. This especially applies to singlet oxygen (¹O₂), which is responsible for the selective destruction of the sick tissue. Photosensitizing compounds (chlorophylls and derivatives) existing in the spinach extract have applicability for PDT. This study aimed to develop and characterize the thermoresponsive bioadhesive system composed of Pluronic F127 20.0%- and Carbopol 934P 0.2% (w/w) (FC)-containing chlorophyll-based extract 0.5% (w/w) (FC-Chl). Mechanical and rheological properties, in vitro release, sol-gel transition temperature, and ex vivo permeability of the spinach extract PS components (through pig ear skin) were investigated. Furthermore, photodynamic activity of the system was accessed through uric acid and time-solved measurements. The sol-gel transition temperature obtained for the FC-Chl system was 28.8 ± 0.3 °C. Rheological and texture properties of the platform were suitable for use as a dermatological system, exhibiting easy application and good characteristics of retention in the place of administration. In vitro release studies showed the presence of two distinct mechanisms that reasonably obey the zero-order and first-order kinetics models. PS components presented skin permeability and reached a permeation depth of 830 μm (between the epidermis and dermis). The photodynamic evaluation of the FC-Chl system was effective in the degradation of uric acid. The quantum yield (Φ_Δ¹O₂) and life time (τ¹O₂) of singlet oxygen showed similar values for the spinach extract and the isolated chlorophyll a species in ethanol. These results allowed for the classification of the FC-Chl platform as potentially useful for the delivery of the chlorophyll-based extract in the topic PDT, suggesting that it is worthy for in vivo evaluation.

Phosphorescence Kinetics of Singlet Oxygen Produced by Photosensitization in Spherical Nanoparticles. Part II. The Case of Hypericin-Loaded Low-Density Lipoprotein Particles

The phosphorescence kinetics of singlet oxygen produced by photosensitized hypericin (Hyp) molecules inside low-density lipoprotein (LDL) particles was studied experimentally and by means of numerical and analytical modeling. The phosphorescence signal was measured after short laser pulse irradiation of aqueous Hyp/LDL solutions. The Hyp triplet state lifetime determined by a laser flash-photolysis measurement was 5.3 × 10^-6 s. The numerical and the analytical model described in part I of the present work (DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.8b00658) were used to analyze the observed phosphorescence kinetics of singlet oxygen. It was shown that singlet oxygen diffuses out of LDL particles on a time scale shorter than 0.1 μs. The total (integrated) concentration of singlet oxygen inside LDL is more than an order of magnitude smaller than the total singlet oxygen concentration in the solvent. The time course of singlet oxygen concentrations inside and outside the particles was calculated using simplified representations of the LDL internal structure. The experimental phosphorescence data were fitted by a linear combination of these concentrations using the emission factor E (the ratio of the radiative singlet oxygen depopulation rate constants inside and outside LDL) as a fitting parameter. The emission factor was determined to be E = 6.7 ± 2.5. Control measurements were carried out by adding sodium azide, a strong singlet oxygen quencher, to the solution.

Differential diagnosis of gallstones by using hypericin as a fluorescent optical imaging agent

AIM: To explore the feasibility of using hypericin as an optical imaging probe with affinity for cholesterol for differential fluorescent detection of human gallstones.

METHODS: Cholesterol, mixed and pigment stones from cholecystectomy patients were incubated with hypericin or solvent. After 72 h, the stones were analysed for fluorescence (365 nm) and treated with 2-propanol/dimethyl sulfoxide for high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis. Rats with virtual gallbladder containing human cholesterol, mixed or pigment gallstones (VGHG) received 5 mg/kg hypericin or solvent and VGHG rats with cholesterol stones were given different hypericin doses (5-15 mg/kg). Twelve hours later, the stones were analysed at 365 nm. Biliary excretion and metabolites of hypericin were assessed in common bile duct (CBD) cannulated rats for 9 h using fluorospectrometry, HPLC and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS).

RESULTS: Homogeneous high fluorescence was seen on cholesterol stones either pre-incubated with hypericin or extracted from VGHG rats receiving hypericin. Mixed stones showed a dotted fluorescent pattern, whereas pigment and solvent-treated ones lacked fluorescence. HPLC showed 7.68, 6.65 and 0.08 × 10^-3 M of cholesterol in extracts from cholesterol, mixed, and pigment gallstones, respectively. Hypericin accounted for 2.0, 0.5 and 0.2 × 10^-6 M in that order. On cholesterol stones from VGHG rats receiving different hypericin doses, a positive correlation was observed between dose and fluorescence. In the bile from CBD-cannulated rats, fluorescence represented 20% of the injected dose with two peaks in 9 h. HPLC analysis revealed that hypericin conjugates reached 60% of the peak area. By MALDI-TOF MS, hypericin-glucuronide was detected.

CONCLUSION: This study proves the potential use of hypericin for differential fluorescent detection of human gallstones regarding their chemical composition.

An overview of translational (radio)pharmaceutical research related to certain oncological and non-oncological applications

Translational medicine pursues the conversion of scientific discovery into human health improvement. It aims to establish strategies for diagnosis and treatment of diseases. Cancer treatment is difficult. Radio-pharmaceutical research has played an important role in multiple disciplines, particularly in translational oncology. Based on the natural phenomenon of necrosis avidity, OncoCiDia has emerged as a novel generic approach for treating solid malignancies. Under this systemic dual targeting strategy, a vascular disrupting agent first selectively causes massive tumor necrosis that is followed by iodine-131 labeled-hypericin (¹²³I-Hyp), a necrosis-avid compound that kills the residual cancer cells by crossfire effect of beta radiation. In this review, by emphasizing the potential clinical applicability of OncoCiDia, we summarize our research activities including optimization of radioiodinated hypericin Hyp preparations and recent studies on the biodistribution, dosimetry, pharmacokinetic and, chemical and radiochemical toxicities of the preparations. Myocardial infarction is a global health problem. Although cardiac scintigraphy using radioactive perfusion tracers is used in the assessment of myocardial viability, searching for diagnostic imaging agents with authentic necrosis avidity is pursued. Therefore, a comparative study on the biological profiles of the necrosis avid ¹²³I-Hyp and the commercially available ^99mTc-Sestamibi was conducted and the results are demonstrated. Cholelithiasis or gallstone disease may cause gallbladder inflammation, infection and other severe complications. While studying the mechanisms underlying the necrosis avidity of Hyp and derivatives, their naturally occurring fluorophore property was exploited for targeting cholesterol as a main component of gallstones. The usefulness of Hyp as an optical imaging agent for cholelithiasis was studied and the results are presented. Multiple uses of automatic contrast injectors may reduce costs and save resources. However, cross-contaminations with blood-borne pathogens of infectious diseases may occur. We developed a radioactive method for safety evaluation of a new replaceable patient-delivery system. By mimicking pathogens with a radiotracer, we assessed the feasibility of using the system repeatedly without septic risks. This overview is deemed to be interesting to those involved in the related fields for translational research.

Unique diagnostic and therapeutic roles of porphyrins and phthalocyanines in photodynamic therapy, imaging and theranostics

Porphyrinic molecules have a unique theranostic role in disease therapy; they have been used to image, detect and treat different forms of diseased tissue including age-related macular degeneration and a number of different cancer types. Current focus is on the clinical imaging of tumour tissue; targeted delivery of photosensitisers and the potential of photosensitisers in multimodal biomedical theranostic nanoplatforms. The roles of porphyrinic molecules in imaging and pdt, along with research into improving their selective uptake in diseased tissue and their utility in theranostic applications are highlighted in this Review.

Cell death response of U87 glioma cells on hypericin photoactivation is mediated by dynamics of hypericin subcellular distribution and its aggregation in cellular organelles

Hypericin (Hyp) is a hydrophobic natural photosensitizer that is considered to be a promising molecule for photodynamic treatment of tumor cells and photo-diagnosis of early epithelial cancers. Its hydrophobicity is the main driving force that governs its redistribution process. Low-density lipoproteins (LDL), a natural in vivo carrier of cholesterol present in the vascular system, have been used for targeted transport of Hyp to U87 glioma cells. For low Hyp-LDL ratios (≤10 : 1), the cellular uptake of Hyp is characterized by endocytosis of the [Hyp-LDL] complex, while Hyp alone can enter cells by passive diffusion. Photo-induced cell death and the mitochondrial membrane potential, observed for glioma cells after various times of incubation with the [Hyp-LDL] complex or Hyp alone, were monitored by flow-cytometry analysis using Annexin-V-FITC propidium iodide and DiOC(6)(3) staining. Differences of the results are discussed in view of the respective dynamic subcellular distributions of the drugs that were obtained by co-localization experiments using confocal fluorescence microscopy. In order to give clear evidence of specific intracellular localization and to identify possible Hyp aggregation in cellular organelles, fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) between selected fluorescent organelle probes and Hyp was also assessed. It is shown, that the observed photo-induced cell deaths can be correlated with the sub-cellular distribution of the active fluorescent monomer form of Hyp in lysosomes (as determined from steady-state fluorescence experiments), but that possible aggregation of Hyp in some organelles, as determined from FRET experiments, should be taken into account for interpretation of the real dynamics of the subcellular redistribution. Results of the present study underline the fact that photo-induced cell death processes are strongly influences by dynamics of Hyp subcellular redistribution processes involving monomer-aggregate equilibrium. Such an observation should be taken in consideration for further optimization of Hyp in vivo PDT applications.