Asymmetric ZnPc-rhodamine B conjugates for mitochondrial targeted photodynamic therapy.

Abstract Design, synthesis, characterization, and photodynamic activity of mitochondria specific asymmetric ZnPc–Rh B conjugates are described. Conjugation of asymmetric ZnPc–OH chromophores 3a and 3b with rhodamine B via the corresponding DIC-activated ester gave the desired near IR-absorbing asymmetric ZnPc–Rh B conjugates 1a and 1b . Conjugates 1a and 1b were shown to produce singlet oxygen upon illumination in DMSO, MeOH and THF. Fluorescence aggregation studies of the dyes 1a , 1b , 3a and 3b in DMSO and phosphate buffered saline (PBS) solution showed that conjugates 1a and 1b were less aggregated compared to the corresponding non-conjugates 3a and 3b suggesting that incorporation of Rh B lowered aggregation of the conjugates in the PBS solution. The four dyes studied have log  D 7.4 values between 2.31 and 2.48, with the sulfur-containing conjugate 1b being the most hydrophobic. All the dyes showed negligible dark toxicity when colon 26 cells were treated with 5 μM of the dyes while 10–15% cell death was observed for dye concentrations of 15 μM. Illumination (700 ± 40 nm, 45 J/cm 2 , 15 min) of the cells ([dye] = 15 μM) gave 70% cell death for ZnPc–Rh B conjugates 1a and 1b while no killing for non-conjugates 3a and 3b suggesting that the incorporation of the Rh B in the photosensitizer lowered the aggregation and subsequently improved cellular uptake and phototoxicity.