Evaluation of antimicrobial photodynamic activities of 5-aminolevulinic acid derivatives

Photodermatol Photoimmunol Photomed. 2021 Jul;37(4):296-305. doi: 10.1111/phpp.12652. Epub 2021 Jan 21.

Abstract

Background: Antibiotic resistance is increasing day by day, thereby increase the chances of more infections by resistant bacteria. In this situation, antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) is gaining more attraction.

Objective: To evaluate the antimicrobial effect of ALA derivatives using photodynamic therapy.

Materials and methods: In this study, we evaluated the aPDT effect of different derivatives of 5-ALA. In vivo and in vitro studies were performed to measure the antimicrobial activity. Different light doses and different concentrations of drugs were used to test anti-bacterial effect of drugs as well as to detect any physiological changes in animal model after the treatment.

Results: In vivo studies revealed that ALA-methyl ester, ALA-hexyl ester, and ALA-13A are potent photosensitizers. In vitro studies involved wound healing rate, body weight, and dietary intake were evaluated, and results showed that ALA, ALA-methyl ester, ALA-hexyl ester, and ALA-13A had good anti-bacterial effects, fast healing rate, and no effect on other physical parameters.

Conclusion: Photodynamic therapy is increasingly used to treat different types of skin infections caused by bacterial strains. Our studies revealed that ALA-methyl ester, ALA-hexyl ester, and ALA-13A are promising photosensitizers for photodynamic therapy to inhibit the growth of resistant bacterial strains.

Keywords: Escherichia coli; Staphylococcus aureus; 5-ALA derivatives; antimicrobial photodynamic therapy; photosensitizers.

MeSH terms

  • Aminolevulinic Acid / pharmacology
  • Animals
  • Anti-Infective Agents* / pharmacology
  • Esters
  • Pharmaceutical Preparations
  • Photochemotherapy*
  • Photosensitizing Agents / pharmacology

Substances

  • Anti-Infective Agents
  • Esters
  • Pharmaceutical Preparations
  • Photosensitizing Agents
  • Aminolevulinic Acid