zn(ii)-phthalocyanine and 1-2-dioleoyloxy-3-(trimethylammonium)propane

Photodynamic therapy exploits the light-activation of a photosensitizer to cause cytotoxicity. Liposomes can be used to deliver hydrophobic photosensitizers to bacteria. Positively charged dioleoyltrimethylammoniumpropane:palmitoyloleoylphosphatidylcholine (1:1) liposomes bound quantitatively to the periodontal pathogen, Porphyromonas gingivalis. Following illumination, free and liposomal zinc phthalocyanine reduced the colony-forming unit (CFU) to 65 percent and 23 percent of controls, respectively. Thus, localization of the photosensitizer at the surface of bacteria via liposome binding enhanced the photodynamic cytotoxicity of zinc phthalocyanine.

Topics: Bacterial Adhesion; Colony Count, Microbial; Fatty Acids, Monounsaturated; Humans; Indoles; Isoindoles; Liposomes; Membrane Proteins; Organometallic Compounds; Periodontitis; Phosphatidylcholines; Photochemotherapy; Photosensitizing Agents; Porphyromonas gingivalis; Protein Binding; Quaternary Ammonium Compounds; Zinc Compounds