Effect of structural modification on photodynamic activity of hypocrellins

Aluminum ion complexed 5,8-di-Br-hypocrellin B is a new water-soluble perylenequinonoid derivative with enhanced absorption over hypocrellin B (HB) in the phototherapeutic window (600-900 nm). Electron paramagnetic resonance and 9,10-diphenyl-anthracene bleaching methods were used to investigate the photosensitizing activity of [AL2(5,8-di-Br-HB)Cl4]n in the presence of oxygen. Singlet oxygen, superoxide anion radical and hydroxyl radical can be generated by [AL2(5,8-di-Br-HB)CL4]n photosensitization. Singlet oxygen (1O2) is formed via energy transfer from triplet-state [AL2(5,8-di-Br-HB)CL4]n to ground-state molecular oxygen. 1O2 participates in the generation of a portion of superoxide anion radical (O2.-). Besides superoxide anion radical (O2.-) may originate from the electron transfer between the triplet-state [AL2(5,8-di-Br-HB)CL4]n and the ground-state molecular oxygen. OH is formed through the Fenton-Haber-Weiss reaction and the decomposition of DMPO-1O2 adduct. Compared with HB [AL2(5,8-di-Br-HB)CL4]n primarily remains and enhances the generation efficiency of superoxide anion radical and hydroxyl radical but that of singlet oxygen decreases.