Dextrin-microencapsulated porphyrin: luminescent properties

Ann N Y Acad Sci. 2008:1130:91-6. doi: 10.1196/annals.1430.017.

Abstract

Photophysical properties of porphyrins in aqueous solutions are strongly affected by aggregation. One possible solution to this problem is to encapsulate the porphyrin into polymeric spheres, to provide an environment where the photosensitizer can be administered in its monomeric form in such treatments as photodynamic therapy. Here we report the microencapsulation of the meso-tetrakis(4-sulphonatophenyl) porphyrin (TPPS(4)) photosensitizer by the ultrasonic spray-drying technique. The encapsulated TPPS(4) was morphologically characterized by scanning electron microscopy, and its photophysical properties were studied and compared with those of a physical blend of dextrin and TPPS(4). We successfully encapsulated TPPS(4) into dextrin microspheres, and the encapsulated photosensitizer displays higher luminescence intensity than that of the prepared physical blends.

MeSH terms

  • Chemistry, Physical / methods
  • Desiccation
  • Dextrins / chemistry*
  • Drug Compounding
  • Light
  • Luminescence
  • Luminescent Proteins / chemistry
  • Microscopy, Electron, Scanning
  • Microspheres
  • Models, Molecular
  • Photochemistry / methods
  • Photochemotherapy / methods*
  • Photosensitizing Agents / chemistry
  • Porphyrins / chemistry*

Substances

  • Dextrins
  • Luminescent Proteins
  • Photosensitizing Agents
  • Porphyrins
  • meso-tetrakis(4-sulfonatophenyl)porphyrin