Zwitterionic phthalocyanine zinc (II) synthesis, and photodynamic activity comparison with nonionic and cationic phthalocyanine

Abstract Zwitterionic structures were helpful for solubility, cellular uptake and activity for many drugs. But few researches about the influence of zwitterionic structures on phthalocyanine were reported. So, in this work, we design and synthesis a zwitterionic zinc (II) phthalocyanines(ZnPcs). And its solubility, photochemical and photodynamic activity to cancer cells was investigated. Furthermore, these properties of other two ZnPcs, nonionic and cationic ZnPcs with same major structure, were also researched simultaneously. Comparative studies indicated that the zwitterions structures could improve the solubility of ZnPc but greatly reduced its reactive oxygen species (ROSs) generation ability and anti -cancer activity in vitro to nonionic and cationic ZnPcs.