Antimicrobial photodynamic therapy with decacationic monoadducts and bisadducts of [70]fullerene: in vitro and in vivo studies.

BACKGROUND

Antimicrobial photodynamic therapy uses photosensitizers designed to bind to microorganisms and generate reactive oxygen species when illuminated with visible light.

MATERIALS & METHODS: We synthesized a highly water-soluble [70]fullerene monoadduct, C70[>M(C3N6(+)C3)2]-(I(-))10 (LC17), and bisadduct, C70[>M(C3N6(+)C3)2][>M(C3N6C3)2] (LC18), both with a well-defined decacationic quaternary ammonium iodide moiety with ten positive charges per C70 to give water solubility and bacterial binding. We determined the antimicrobial effects against human pathogens, Gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus) and Gram-negative species (Escherichia coli and Acinetobacter baumannii) when activated by UVA or white light.

RESULTS

White light was more effective with LC17, while UVA light was more effective with LC18. Both compounds were effective in a mouse model of Gram-negative third-degree burn infections determined by bioluminescence imaging.

DISCUSSION & CONCLUSION: We propose that the attachment of an additional deca(tertiary-ethylenylamino)malonate arm to C70 allowed the moiety to act as a potent electron donor and increased the generation yield of hydroxyl radicals under UVA illumination.