Physicochemical Characteristics and Anticancer Properties of the Liposomal Form of Pyropheophorbide- a Methyl Ester

In order to increase the bioavailability of water-insoluble pyropheophorbide-a (PPP-a) methyl ester, its liposomal form is prepared and the physicochemical and photochemical properties of this form are studied. The quantum yield of 1O2 is found to have a bell-shaped dependence on the concentration of PPP-a in the lipid phase of liposomes with the maximum at 31.6 µmol/g of lipids. The IR spectroscopy shows the photoinduced formation of aldehyde groups in the lipid phase of liposomes. The intracellular accumulation of PPP-a is confirmed by confocal microscopy.