Novel 3RAX-based fluorescent probe for hydrogen sulfide detection and photodynamic therapy

Abstract

As an important signalling molecule, hydrogen sulfide (H2S) has crucial functions in physiological and pathological processes. Abnormal levels of H2S are generally associated with many diseases, so the realization of biological real-time monitoring of H2S in the body is critical. So far, many excellent H2S fluorescent probes have been developed and used, but most of them have only a single function with only a diagnostic function but no therapeutic effect in cancer treatment. We designed and synthesized a novel methylene violet 3RAX derivative F3 with methylene violet as the fluorescent group and 2,4-dinitrobenzenesulfonamide as the recognition group. F3 was shown to be a turn-on fluorescent probe with high selectivity and sensitivity to H2S (LOD: 23 nM) at a 623 nm emission wavelength. In addition, F3 could also be used as a promising photosensitizer to generate singlet oxygen, which showed satisfactory photodynamic therapy (PDT) effects in cervical cancer cells (IC50 for HeLa cells = 9 μM).