Enhanced biosafety, anticancer and antibacterial photodynamic activities using silver-pyropheophorbide-a nanoconjugates

Aim: A study of the enhancement of photodynamic activities of pyropheophorbide-a using PG-Ag-PPa nanoconjugates. Materials & methods: The nanoconjugates were formulated from silver nanoparticles and PPa via amide linkage, then characterized, and their photodynamic activities were examined. Results: The nanoconjugates displayed a higher rate of reactive oxygen species generation, commendable cellular uptake by Eca-109 cancer cells, higher photocytotoxicity toward the cancer cells and better bio-safety. They revealed strong antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli following internal reactive oxygen species generation and membrane disintegration. The in vivo anticancer studies confirmed higher cytotoxicity of the nanoconjugates toward cancer cells and better safety than PPa. Conclusion: Therefore, PG-Ag-PPa nanoconjugates could be considered potential nano photosensitizers for photodynamic therapy of tumors and bacterial infection with good bio-safety.