Abstract
Recent scientific research has shown the use of chlorin, phthalocyanines, and porphyrins derivatives as photosensitizers in photodynamic therapy in the treatment of various pathologies, including some of the major skin diseases. Thus, the main goal of this critical review is to catalog the papers that used these photosensitizers in the treatment of acne vulgaris, psoriasis, papillomavirus infections, cutaneous leishmaniasis, and skin rejuvenation, and to explore the photodynamic therapy mechanisms against these conditions alongside their clinical benefits.
Highlights
The benefits of sun exposure in promoting health and the application of light as a therapy for the treatment of cutaneous disorders in combination with photosensitive molecules are well-known since the early civilizations of China, Greece, and Egypt [1], the first scientific research using photodynamic therapy (PDT) was performed only in 1900 by Oscar Raab, when he observed the photosensitive activity of acridine orange dye in Paramecium caudatum, when subjected to irradiation in the presence of oxygen, leading Paramecium caudatum to death [2]
The authors suggest that other mechanisms of action of PDT in acne may be involved that are not correlated to the eradication of P. acnes and decrease in sebum secreted by the sebaceous glands
The use of PDT allied to topical and nontoxic PSs has been explored in a number of different clinical applications for the treatment of inflammatory or infectious diseases, and for skin rejuvenation [4]
Summary
The benefits of sun exposure in promoting health and the application of light as a therapy for the treatment of cutaneous disorders in combination (or not) with photosensitive molecules are well-known since the early civilizations of China, Greece, and Egypt [1], the first scientific research using photodynamic therapy (PDT) was performed only in 1900 by Oscar Raab, when he observed the photosensitive activity of acridine orange dye in Paramecium caudatum, when subjected to irradiation in the presence of oxygen, leading Paramecium caudatum to death [2]. In 1903 Hermann Von Tappeiner observed that the combination of eosin and light caused a reduction in skin diseases, such as condylomata, psoriasis, skin cancer, lupus vulgaris, and syphilis. It is well established in the literature that the action of PDT depends on the absorption of visible light by a suitable photosensitive agent that will produce reactive oxygen species (ROS), which can destroy microorganisms, blood vessels, and cancer cells [3]; its application in the treatment of skin diseases has gained prominence and interest around the world. Approved in Russia for basal cell carcinoma Approved in China and the United States for macular degeneration Approved in Russia and India for sarcoma and choroidal, eye, eyelid, cervical, bladder tumors
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