Mafalda Laranjo, Nelson A M Pereira, Andreia S R Oliveira, Márcia Campos Aguiar, Gonçalo Brites, Bruno F O Nascimento, Beatriz Serambeque, Bruna D P Costa, João Pina, J Sérgio Seixas de Melo, Marta Pineiro, M Filomena Botelho, Teresa M V D Pinho E Melo
Novel 4,5,6,7-tetrahydropyrazolo[1,5- a ]pyridine-fused meso -tetraarylchlorins, with different degrees of hydrophilicity (with methyl ester, hydroxymethyl, and carboxylic acid moieties), have been synthesized and their photophysical characterization as well as in vitro photocytotoxicity assessment against human melanoma and esophageal and bladder carcinomas was carried out. An integrated analysis of the photosensitizers' performance, considering the singlet oxygen generation data, cell internalization, and intracellular localization, allowed to establish relevant structure-photoactivity relationships and the rationalization of the observed photocytotoxicity...
2022: Frontiers in Chemistry