Fluorescent probes for sensing peroxynitrite: biological applications.

Peroxynitrite (ONOO) is a quintessential reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS), renowned for its potent oxidizing and nitrifying capabilities. Under normal physiological conditions, a baseline level of ONOO is present within the body. However, its production escalates significantly in response to oxidative stress. ONOO is highly reactive with various biomolecules , particularly proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids, thereby playing a role in a spectrum of physiological and pathological processes, such as inflammation, cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, and cardiovascular diseases. Consequently, detecting ONOO is of paramount importance for understanding the etiology of various diseases and facilitating early diagnosis. Fluorescent probes have become a staple in the identification of biomolecules due to their ease of use, convenience, and superior sensitivity and specificity. This review highlights the recent advancements in the development of fluorescent probes for the detection of ONOO in diverse disease models and provides an in-depth examination of their design and application.