Photosensitizing potential of tailored magnetite hybrid nanoparticles functionalized with levan and zinc (II) phthalocyanine

• Published in: Applied surface science Vol. 524; p. 146602
• Main Authors: Chelminiak-Dudkiewicz, Dorota, Rybczynski, Patryk, Smolarkiewicz-Wyczachowski, Aleksander, Mlynarczyk, Dariusz T., Wegrzynowska-Drzymalska, Katarzyna, Ilnicka, Anna, Goslinski, Tomasz, Marszałł, Michał P., Ziegler-Borowska, Marta
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier B.V 15.09.2020
• Subjects: Levan; Magnetic nanoparticles; Microtox; Photodynamic therapy; Singlet oxygen generation; zinc (II) phthalocyanine; Microtox; Photodynamic therapy; Levan; zinc (II) phthalocyanine; Singlet oxygen generation; Magnetic nanoparticles
• ISSN: 0169-4332; 1873-5584; 0169-4332
• DOI: 10.1016/j.apsusc.2020.146602

[Display omitted] •Novel magnetic nanoparticles coated with levan (Lev-Fe3O4) were obtained.•The surface of Lev-Fe3O4 nanoparticles was decorated with zinc phthalocyanine.•The Lev-PthZn-Fe3O4 nanoparticles generate the singlet oxygen during irradiation.•The Lev-PthZn-Fe3O4 nanoparticles show toxicity after exposure for light.•The Lev-PthZn-Fe3O4 had the highest surface area compare to levan and Lev-Fe3O4. Phototherapies, including photodynamic therapy (PDT), have been widely used in the treatment of various diseases, especially for cancer. However, there is still a lack of effective, safe photosensitizers that would be well tolerated by patients. The combination of several methods (like phototherapy and hyperthermia) constitutes a modern therapeutic approach, which demands new materials based on components that are non-toxic without irradiation. Therefore, this study presents the synthesis and properties of novel, advanced nanomaterials in which the advantage features of the magnetic nanoparticles and photoactive compounds were combined. The primary purpose of this work was the synthesis of magnetic nanoparticles coated with biocompatible and antitumor polysaccharide - levan, previously unknown from scientific literature, and the deposition of potent photosensitizer – zinc(II) phthalocyanine on their surface. In order to better characterize the nature of the coating covering the magnetic core, the atomic force microscope analysis, a contact angle measurement, and the mechanical properties of pure levan and its blend with zinc(II) phthalocyanine films were investigated. This magnetic nanomaterial revealed the ability to generate singlet oxygen upon exposure to light. Finally, preliminary toxicity of obtained nanoparticles was tested using the Microtox® test – with and without irradiation.