Imaging and detection of cell apoptosis by In vitro photodynamic therapy applications of zinc (II) phthalocyanine on human melanoma cancer

This study aims to investigate the photodynamic therapy (PDT) effects on MeWo (human melanoma cells) and HaCaT (normal human keratinocyte cells) by light stimulation of different concentrations of Zinc (II)-tetra-tertbutyl-phthalocyaninato (ZnPc). MTT viability assay data indicated that a 25 mu M concentration of ZnPc is cytotoxic to the melanoma cancer cells while this concentration of ZnPc is not cytotoxic for the HaCaT cell line. Moreover, the results showed that photoactivated ZnPc at 12.5 mu M concentration reduced the cell viability of the MeWo cell line to about 50 %. At this photosensitizing concentration, the efficacy of light doses of 20, 30, 40, and 50 J/cm(2) was evaluated against MeWo and HaCaT cells. ZnPc at a concentration of 12.5 mu M activated with a light dose of 50 J/cm(2) was the most efficient for the killing of MeWo cells. In conclusion, the 12.5 mu M of ZnPc with the treatment light dose of 50 J/cm(2) from a RED light source was adequate to destroy MeWo cells by the ROS-induced apoptosis mechanism. It also exhibited low killing effects on healthy HaCaT cells. These findings are supported by the results of apoptosis with the Annexin V & Dead Cell Kit and fluorescence imaging.

Automated summary

The study showed that the use of ZnPc at a concentration of 12.5 mu M with a light dose of 50 J/cm(2) was effective in killing melanoma cells while having low impact on normal keratinocytes. This conclusion was supported by apoptosis results and fluorescence imaging.