Photosensitizer-hyaluronic acid complexes for antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT)

Abstract

The number of drug-resistant bacteria is increasing significantly. To combat such issues, antimicrobial PDT (aPDT) provides an efficient way to eliminate these species efficiently, cost-effectively, and more importantly, without the associated mechanism of resistance. The hemisynthesis and synthesis of photosensitizers such as polyaminated chlorin-p6 and 5-(4-aminophenyl)-10,15,20-tris(4-[Formula: see text]-methylpyridinium)porphyrin triiodide and their water stable and soluble formulation with hyaluronic acid bio-polymer (PS-HA) is reported. Structures of porphyrin-HA formulations were characterized by IR, DSC, DLS, zeta potential, SEM imaging, UV-vis analysis and rheological evaluation confirming the covalent conjugation of PSs on conjugate platform (hyaluronic acid). These conjugate formulations were tested against the Gram-negative Escherichia coli (CIP 53.126) and Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus (CIP 76.25) bacteria for their potency for aPDT.