Lipid droplet targeting-guided hypoxic photodynamic therapy with curcumin analogs

Two photosensitizers (CCOH and CCN) were designed and synthesized by introducing coumarin into the curcumin (CUR) structure. Compared with CUR, more reactive oxygen species (ROS) were generated by CCOH and CCN in type I and II synergy upon light irradiation. Cell experiments indicated that CCN with an excellent LD-targeting effect could be used to monitor the changes in the morphology and number of LDs in tumor cells during PDT.

Automated summary

Two photosensitizers (CCOH and CCN) were designed and synthesized by incorporating coumarin into the curcumin structure. Compared with curcumin, CCOH and CCN generated more reactive oxygen species (ROS) through type I and II synergy upon light irradiation. Cell experiments demonstrated that CCN, with excellent LD-targeting effect, could be utilized to monitor the changes in morphology and number of LDs in tumor cells during PDT.