Copper(II)–Graphitic Carbon Nitride Triggered Synergy: Improved ROS Generation and Reduced Glutathione Levels for Enhanced Photodynamic Therapy |
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| Authors: | Enguo Ju Kai Dong Zhaowei Chen Zhen Liu Chaoqun Liu Yanyan Huang Zhenzhen Wang Fang Pu Prof. Jinsong Ren Prof. Xiaogang Qu |
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| Affiliation: | 1. Laboratory of Chemical Biology and State Key Laboratory of Rare Earth Resource Utilization, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Science, Changchun, Jilin, P.R. China;2. University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, P.R. China |
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| Abstract: | Graphitic carbon nitride (g‐C3N4) has been used as photosensitizer to generate reactive oxygen species (ROS) for photodynamic therapy (PDT). However, its therapeutic efficiency was far from satisfactory. One of the major obstacles was the overexpression of glutathione (GSH) in cancer cells, which could diminish the amount of generated ROS before their arrival at the target site. Herein, we report that the integration of Cu2+ and g‐C3N4 nanosheets (Cu2+–g‐C3N4) led to enhanced light‐triggered ROS generation as well as the depletion of intracellular GSH levels. Consequently, the ROS generated under light irradiation could be consumed less by reduced GSH, and efficiency was improved. Importantly, redox‐active species Cu+–g‐C3N4 could catalyze the reduction of molecular oxygen to the superoxide anion or hydrogen peroxide to the hydroxyl radical, both of which facilitated the generation of ROS. This synergy of improved ROS generation and GSH depletion could enhance the efficiency of PDT for cancer therapy. |
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| Keywords: | glutathione graphitic carbon nitride photodynamic therapy reactive oxygen species synergetic effects |
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