Molecular Design of Highly Efficient Heavy-Atom-free NpImidazole Derivatives for Two-Photon Photodynamic Therapy and ClO- Detection.

Two-photon photodynamic therapy (TP-PDT), as a treatment technology with deep penetration and less damage, provides a broad prospect for cancer treatment. Nowadays, the development of TP-PDT suffers from the low two-photon absorption (TPA) intensity and short triplet state lifetime of photosensitizers (PSs) used in TP-PDT. Herein, we propose some novel modification strategies based on the thionated NpImidazole (the combination of naphthalimide and imidazole) derivatives to make efforts on those issues and obtain corresponding fluorescent probes for detecting ClO- and excellent PSs for TP-PDT. Density functional theory (DFT) and time-dependent DFT (TD-DFT) are used to help us characterize the photophysical properties and TP-PDT process of the newly designed compounds. Our results show that the introduction of different electron-donating groups at the position 4 of NpImidazole can effectively improve their TPA and emission properties. Specifically, 3s with a N,N-dimethylamino group has a large triplet state lifetime (τ = 699 µs) and TPA cross section value (δTPA = 314 GM), which can effectively achieve TP-PDT; additionally, 4s (with electron-donating group 2-oxa-6-azaspiro[3.3]heptane in NpImidazole) effectively realizes the dual-function of a PS for TP-PDT (τ = 25,122 µs, δTPA = 351 GM) and a fluorescent probe for detecting ClO- (Φf = 29% of the product 4o). Moreover, an important problem is clarified from a microscopic perspective, that is, why the transition property of 3s and 4s (1π-π*) from S1 to S0 is different from that of 1s and 2s (1n-π*). It is hoped that our work can provides valuable theoretical clues for the design and synthesis of heavy-atom-free NpImidazole-based PSs and fluorescent probes for the detection of hypochlorite.

Theoretical Study of a Two-Photon Fluorescent Probe Based on Nile Red Derivatives with Controllable Fluorescence Wavelength and Water Solubility.

Hypochloric acid (HOCl) plays a vital role in the natural defense system, but abnormal levels of it can cause cell damage, accelerated human aging, and various diseases. It is of great significance to develop new probes for detecting HOCl in biosystems nondestructively and noninvasively. The purpose of this work is to explore new chemical modification strategies of two-photon excitation fluorescence (TPEF) probes to improve the poor water solubility and low efficiency in imaging applications. Nil-OH-6 has a two-photon absorption cross-section value as high as 243 GM and attains a good quantum yield of 0.49. In addition, the modification of terminal groups with different azetidine-heterospirocycles or N,N-dialkyl fused amino groups to Nile Red can effectively improve the fluorescence efficiency as well as increase the solubility to some extent. This study provides some strategies to simultaneously improve the fluorescence performance and solubility of these two-photon probes and, hence, reliable guidance and a foundation for the subsequent synthesis of TPEF probes based on Nile Red.

Theoretical Investigation of Ru(II) Complexes with Long Lifetime and a Large Two-Photon Absorption Cross-Section in Photodynamic Therapy.

Two-photon photodynamic therapy (TP-PDT), as a new method for cancer, has shown unique advantages in tumors. A low two-photon absorption cross-section (δ) in the biologic spectral window and a short triplet state lifetime are the important issues faced by the current photosensitizers (PSs) in TP-PDT. In this paper, the photophysical properties of a series of Ru(II) complexes were studied by density functional theory and time-dependent density functional theory methods. The electronic structure, one- and two-photon absorption properties, type I/II mechanisms, triplet state lifetime, and solvation free energy were calculated. The results showed that the substitution of methoxyls by pyrene groups greatly improved the lifetime of the complex. Furthermore, the addition of acetylenyl groups subtly enhanced δ. Overall, complex 3b possess a large δ(1376 GM), a long lifetime (136 µs), and better solvation free energy. It is hoped that it can provide valuable theoretical guidance for the design and synthesis of efficient two-photon PSs in the experiment.

Indole-3-carbinol in vitro antiviral activity against SARS-Cov-2 virus and in vivo toxicity.

The effects of indole-3-carbinol (I3C) compound have been described deeply as antitumor drug in multiple cancers. Herein, I3C compound was tested for toxicity and antiviral activity against SARS-CoV-2 infection. Antiviral activity was assessed in vitro in both in VeroE6 cell line and human Lung Organoids (hLORGs) where I3C exhibited a direct anti-SARS-CoV-2 replication activity with an antiviral effect and a modulation of the expression of genes implicated in innate immunity and inflammatory response was observed at 16.67 µM. Importantly, we further show the I3C is also effective against the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant. In mouse model, instead, we assessed possible toxicity effects of I3C through two different routes of administration: intragastrically (i.g.) and intraperitoneally (i.p.). The LD50 (lethal dose 50%) values in mice were estimated to be: 1410 and 1759 mg/kg i.g.; while estimated values for i.p. administration were: 444.5 mg/kg and 375 mg/kg in male and female mice, respectively. Below these values, I3C (in particular at 550 mg/kg for i.g. and 250 mg/kg for i.p.) induces neither death, nor abnormal toxic symptoms as well as no histopathological lesions of the tissues analysed. These tolerated doses are much higher than those already proven effective in pre-clinical cancer models and in vitro experiments. In conclusion, I3C exhibits a significant antiviral activity, and no toxicity effects were recorded for this compound at the indicated doses, characterizing it as a safe and potential antiviral compound. The results presented in this study could provide experimental pre-clinical data necessary for the start of human clinical trials with I3C for the treatment of SARS-CoV-2 and beyond.

Organoarsenic Roxarsone Promotes Angiogenesis In Vivo.

Roxarsone, an organoarsenic feed additive, is widely used worldwide to promote animal growth. It has been found to exhibit a higher angiogenic index than As(III) at lower concentrations and to promote angiogenic phenotype in human endothelial cell in vitro. Little research has focused on the potential angiogenic effect of roxarsone in vitro or in vivo. Here, we investigated the pro-angiogenic effect of roxarsone in vivo. The effects of 0.1-10.0 µM roxarsone were tested in the rat endothelial cell Matrigel plug assay, chicken chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) model and MCF-7 cell xenograft tumour model; 10 ng/mL vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) was used as a positive control and PBS as a negative control. Roxarsone significantly increased the volume, weight and haemoglobin content of the Matrigel plugs compared to PBS group (p < 0.05); 1.0 µM roxarsone exerted the most significant effects. H&E staining and CD31 immunochemistry revealed obviously more new vessels or capillary-like structures in the plugs of the roxarsone and VEGF groups. Roxarsone significantly increased the numbers of primary/secondary vessels and area of vessels in the CAM assay and obviously increased tumour weight and volume in the xenograft model compared to PBS (p < 0.05). Histochemistry indicated local necrosis was observed at the centre of the xenograft tumours in the PBS and roxarsone groups, with less necrosis apparent in the VEGF-treated tumours. The growth of endothelial cells and VEGF level was obviously affected at blockade of VEGF and its receptor Flt-1/Flk-1 by SU5416 or its antibody in vitro. This study demonstrates roxarsone promotes angiogenesis in vivo, and a VEGF/VEGFR mechanism may be involved.

In vitro and ex vivo angiogenic effects of roxarsone on rat endothelial cells.

Roxarsone, a feed additive, is being used worldwide to promote animal growth. However, the potential effect of roxarsone on angiogenesis has not been extensively characterized. We examined the ability of roxarsone to promote angiogenesis of rat endothelial cells in vitro and from rat aorta rings ex vivo. Endothelial cells from rats were exposed to 0.01-10.00µM roxarsone, 5ng/mL vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) as a positive control or phosphate buffer saline (PBS) as a negative control. Cell proliferation was measured by MTT assay, and the content of VEGF in supernatants was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and Western blotting. A Matrigel-induced tube formation assay was used to evaluate the effects of roxarsone on endothelial cells. Additionally, the total number and length of microvessels sprouted from rat aortic rings were measured for ex vivo investigation of angiogenesis. Results showed that the cell viability and total number and length of capillary-like tube formations after roxarsone treatment was significantly higher than that of negative (P<0.05), with a maximum effect at 1.00µM exposure. Furthermore, the number of microvessels sprouted from aortic rings treated for 4h with 0.1-10.0µM roxarsone was significantly higher than that of PBS treatment, with a peak value of 1.0µM. These results further demonstrate the potential of roxarsone to promote angiogenesis in vitro and ex vivo.

Determination and depletion of dehydroacetic acid residue in chicken tissues.

A high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method was developed to determine dehydroacetic acid (DHA) residues in chicken muscle, liver and kidney. DHA was extracted using acetonitrile, and clean-up performed using a strong anion exchange (PAX) SPE column. The cleaned-up samples were separated by HPLC with a C18 column and determined at 290 nm. Extraction recoveries of DHA from samples fortified at 0.5-5 mg/kg levels ranged from 88.2% to 93.9% in muscle, 83.8% to 86.6% in liver and 83.8% to 89.8% in kidney, with coefficients of variation <6.44%. The limit of detection was 0.05 mg/kg and limit of quantification was 0.2 mg/kg. DHA was not detectable in muscle at 13-15 days after final administration of DHA, at 11 days in kidney and 17 days in liver. The method described herein is suitable for routine quantitative analyses of DHA in animal tissues and can be easily applied to the analysis of other matrices such as milk, serum and tissue samples from other animals.