Enhancing photodynamic therapy efficacy through silica nanoparticle-mediated delivery of temoporfin for targeted in vitro breast cancer treatment.

Photodynamic therapy (PDT), an approach to cancer treatment, relies fundamentally on two key elements: a light source and a photosensitizing agent. A primary challenge in PDT is the efficient delivery of photosensitizers to the target tissue, hindered by the body's reticuloendothelial system (RES). Silica nanoparticles (SiNPs), known for their unique properties, emerge as ideal carriers in this context. In this study, SiNPs are utilized to encapsulate Temoporfin, a photosensitizer, aiming to enhance its delivery and reduce toxicity, particularly for treating MCF-7 cancer cells in vitro. The synthesized SiNPs were meticulously characterized by their size and shape using Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM). The study also involved evaluating the cytotoxicity of both encapsulated and naked Temoporfin across various concentrations. The objective was to determine the ideal concentration and exposure duration using red laser light (intensity approximately 110 mW/cm2) to effectively eradicate MCF-7 cells. The findings revealed that Temoporfin, when encapsulated in SiNPs, demonstrated significantly greater effectiveness compared to its naked form, with notable improvements in concentration efficiency (50 %) and exposure time efficiency (76.6 %). This research not only confirms the superior effectiveness of encapsulated Temoporfin in eliminating cancer cells but also highlights the potential of SiNPs as an efficient drug delivery system in photodynamic therapy. This sets the groundwork for more advanced strategies in cancer treatment.

Advanced Optoelectronic Modeling and Optimization of HTL-Free FASnI3/C60 Perovskite Solar Cell Architecture for Superior Performance.

In this study, a novel perovskite solar cell (PSC) architecture is presented that utilizes an HTL-free configuration with formamide tin iodide (FASnI3) as the active layer and fullerene (C60) as the electron transport layer (ETL), which represents a pioneering approach within the field. The elimination of hole transport layers (HTLs) reduces complexity and cost in PSC heterojunction structures, resulting in a simplified and more cost-effective PSC structure. In this context, an HTL-free tin HC(NH2)2SnI3-based PSC was simulated using the solar cell capacitance simulator (SCAPS) within a one-dimensional framework. Through this approach, the device performance of this novel HTL-free FASnI3-based PSC structure was engineered and evaluated. Key performance parameters, including the open-circuit voltage (Voc), short-circuit current density (Jsc), fill factor (FF), power conversion efficiency (PCE), I-V characteristics, and quantum efficiency (QE), were systematically assessed through the modulation of physical parameters across various layers of the device. A preliminary analysis indicated that the HTL-free configuration exhibited improved I-V characteristics, with a PCE increase of 1.93% over the HTL configuration due to improved electron and hole extraction characteristics, reduced current leakage at the back contact, and reduced trap-induced interfacial recombination. An additional boost to the device's key performance parameters has been achieved through the further optimization of several physical parameters, such as active layer thickness, bulk and interface defects, ETL thickness, carrier concentration, and back-contact materials. For instance, increasing the thickness of the active layer PSC up to 1500 nm revealed enhanced PV performance parameters; however, further increases in thickness have resulted in performance saturation due to an increased rate of hole-electron recombination. Moreover, a comprehensive correlation study has been conducted to determine the optimum thickness and donor doping level for the C60-ETL layer in the range of 10-200 nm and 1012-1019 cm-3, respectively. Optimum device performance was observed at an ETL-C60 ultra-thin thickness of 10 nm and a carrier concentration of 1019 cm-3. To maintain improved PCEs, bulk and interface defects must be less than 1016 cm-3 and 1015 cm-3, respectively. Additional device performance improvement was achieved with a back-contact work function of 5 eV. The optimized HTL-free FASnI3 structure demonstrated exceptional photovoltaic performance with a PCE of 19.63%, Voc of 0.87 V, Jsc of 27.86 mA/cm2, and FF of 81%. These findings highlight the potential for highly efficient photovoltaic (PV) technology solutions based on lead-free perovskite solar cell (PSC) structures that contribute to environmental remediation and cost-effectiveness.

Improving Photovoltaic Performance of Hybrid Organic-Inorganic MAGeI3 Perovskite Solar Cells via Numerical Optimization of Carrier Transport Materials (HTLs/ETLs).

In this study, a hybrid organic-inorganic perovskite solar cell (PSC) based on methylammonium germanium triiodide (MAGeI3), which is composed of methylammonium (CH3NH3+) cations and germanium triiodide (GeI3-) anions, has been numerically studied using SCAPS-1d codes. An extensive investigation of various electron transport layers (ETLs) and hole transport layers (HTLs) was conducted to identify the most optimal device configuration. The FTO/ZnOS/MAGeI3/PEDOT-WO3 structure performed the highest efficiency of all combinations tested, with an impressive optimized efficiency of 15.84%. This configuration exhibited a Voc of 1.38 V, Jsc of 13.79 mA/cm2, and FF of 82.58%. J-V characteristics and external quantum efficiency (EQE) measurements indicate that this device offers superior performance, as it has reduced current leakage, improved electron and hole extraction characteristics, and reduced trap-assisted interfacial recombination. Optimum device performance was achieved at active layer thickness of 560 nm. These findings may also serve as a basis for developing lightweight and ultra-thin solar cells, in addition to improving overall efficiency. Furthermore, a comprehensive correlation study was conducted to evaluate the optimum thickness and doping level for both ZnOS-ETL and PEDOT-WO3-HTL. The photovoltaic performance parameters of the FTO/ZnOS/MAGeI3/PEDOT-WO3 structure were analyzed over a wide temperature range (275 K to 450 K). The structure exhibited stable performance at elevated operating temperatures up to 385 K, with only minimal degradation in PCE of approximately 0.42%. Our study underscores the promise of utilizing cost-effective and long-term stability materials like ZnOS and PEDOT-WO3 alongside the toxic-free MAGeI3 perovskite. This combination exhibits significant potential for eco-friendly PSC, paving the way for the development of highly efficient ultra-thin PSC.

Silica Nanoparticles Encapsulated Cichorium Pumilum as a Promising Photosensitizer for Osteosarcoma Photodynamic Therapy: In-vitro study.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Silica nanoparticles (SiNPs) have been promising vehicles for drug delivery. Cichorium Pumilum (CP), a natural photosensitizer (PS), has been reported to have many useful effects in cancer treatment. However, the poor water solubility and its low bioavailability have confined its use as a suitable photosensitizer for photodynamic therapy. Therefore, a subtle approach is required to overcome these drawbacks. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We have synthesized a silica nanoparticles loaded with Cichorium Pumilum. The nanoparticles structural morphologies have been charectrized by Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM). The cytotoxicity for different concentrations of naked and encapsulated CP was evaluated. Moreover, the optimal concentration of naked and encapsulated CP with exposure time to a light (Maximum intensity at 350nm ∼0.27mW/cm2) required to eliminate the used cells (Osteosarcoma cells) were also measured. RESULTS: The results showed that encapsulated CP in SiNPs exhibited relatively higher efficacy than the naked CP by + 157.14 % of exposure time efficacy and + 49.45% of concentration efficacy, and encapsulated CP was also confirmed to be effective in eradicating osteosarcoma cells. CONCLUSION: The engineered silica nanoparticles loaded with CP enhanced the photodynamic therapy by increasing the CP bioavailability.

Photodynamic application of protoporphyrin IX as a photosensitizer encapsulated by silica nanoparticles.

BACKGROUND: Achieved Silica Nanoparticles (SiNPs) to encapsulate the photosensitizer [Protoporphyrin IX (PpIX)] in photodynamic therapy (PDT) application was reported in this research. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Cytotoxicity for five different concentrations of encapsulated and naked PpIX was measured. Optimum concentration and optimum exposure time of encapsulated and naked PpIX that needed to destroy the cells (Osteosarcoma cells) was measured. RESULTS: The results showed that the encapsulated PpIX has more efficacy compared to the naked PpIX and the applicability of the encapsulated PpIX-SiNPs was proved on osteosarcoma cells. CONCLUSION: The results established the important in-vitro photodynamic effectiveness of PpIX-SiNP, which may open a new application for PpIX in its clinical and in-vitro studies.

Artificial tissue sensitized with encapsulated methylene blue encapsulated by silica nanoparticles in photodynamic therapy.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The synthesis of methylene blue (MB) encapsulated in silica nanoparticles (SiNPs) as an application for photodynamic therapy is reported in this study. Semi-rigid tissues with optical properties similar to that of human tissues were used as sample materials to determine the applicability of MB encapsulated in SiNPs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The changes in optical properties of the tissue treated with encapsulated MB under light exposure (Intensity at 664 nm ∼11.9 mW/cm(2)) were observed. The optimal exposure time required for naked MB and MB-SiNP to destroy red blood cells (RBCs) in the artificial tissue was also determined. RESULTS: The comparative analysis between the results of applying naked MB and MB encapsulated in SiNPs in the treatment of artificial tissue confirmed that the encapsulated MB is 62 percent higher in efficacy than naked MB. The results established the applicability of MB encapsulated in SiNP on artificial tissue and possible application on human tissue.

The efficacy of methylene blue encapsulated in silica nanoparticles compared to naked methylene blue for photodynamic applications.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: This study analyzed the physical effects of methylene blue (MB) encapsulated within silica nanoparticles (SiNPs) in photodynamic therapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The optimum concentration of MB needed to destroy red blood cells (RBCs) was determined, and the efficacy of encapsulated MB-SiNPs compared to that of naked MB was verified. RESULTS: The results confirmed the applicability of MB encapsulated in SiNPs on RBCs, and established a relationship between the concentration of the SiNP-encapsulated MB and the time required to rupture 50% of the RBCs (t50). CONCLUSION: The MB encapsulated in SiNPs exhibited higher efficacy compared to that of naked MB.

Encapsulation efficacy of natural and synthetic photosensitizers by silica nanoparticles for photodynamic applications.

This study analysed the physical effects of Cichorium Pumilum (CP), as a natural photosensitizer (PS), and Protoporphyrin IX (PpIX), as a synthetic PS, encapsulated with silica nanoparticles (SiNPs) in photodynamic therapy. The optimum concentrations of CP and PpIX, needed to destroy Red Blood Cells (RBC), were determined and the efficacy of encapsulated CP and PpIX were compared with naked CP and PpIX was verified. The results confirmed the applicability of CP and PpIX encapsulated in SiNPs on RBCs, and established a relationship between the encapsulated CP and PpIX concentration and the time required to rupture 50% of the RBCs (t50). The CP and PpIX encapsulated in SiNPs exhibited higher efficacy compared with that of naked CP and PpIX, respectively, and CP had less efficacy compared with PpIX.