The novel Zn(II) phthalocyanines: Synthesis, characterization, photochemical, DNA interaction and cytotoxic/phototoxic properties

Abstract

In this study, peripherally and non-peripherally tetra substituted water soluble zinc(II) phthalocyanines (5a and 5b) were synthesized and characterized. Their photochemical and ct-DNA binding properties of them were investigated by UV–Vis spectroscopy. DNA cleavage effects of 5a and 5b were examined using supercoiled pBR322 plasmid DNA on agarose gel electrophoresis. In photochemical studies, the singlet oxygen quantum yields of 5a and 5b were found as 0.76 and 0.78, respectively and the photostability ratios of 5a and 5b were found as 82.12% and 85.28%. The Kb values of 5a and 5b were calculated as 2.92 ± (0.20) × 105 and 1.30 ± (0.16) × 106 M−1, respectively. In addition, 5a and 5b had low cleavage effect in dark but they showed significant photocleavage effect against plasmid DNA under light irradiation in the absence and presence of H2O2. The cytotoxic and phototoxic effects of 5b against A549 and HCT-116 cell lines were investigated using MTT cell viability assay. 5b showed significant phototoxic effects at 1, 5 and 10 μM concentrations and under irradiation on A549 and HCT-116 cell lines. These results showed that compound 5b could be used as a photosensitizer agent in PDT applications.