Novel iron phenanthroline-based photosensitizers for antimicrobial PDT: synthesis, DNA binding and photo-induced DNA cleavage activity

Abstract

The chemistry of Fe(II) complexes showing efficient light-induced DNA cleavage activity, binding propensity to calf thymus DNA and antibacterial photodynamic therapy has been summarized in this article. Complexes of formulation [Fe(mqt)(B)2](PF6)(1)–(3), where mqt is 2-thiol-4-methylquinoline and B is N,N-donor heterocyclic base, viz. 1,10-phenanthroline, dipyrido[3,2-d:2′,3′-f]quinoxaline and dipyrido[3,2-a:2′,3′-c]phenazine have been prepared and characterized. The DNA-binding behaviors of these three complexes were explored by absorption spectra, viscosity measurements and thermal denaturation studies. The DNA binding constants for complexes (1), (2) and (3) were determined to be 1.9 × 103, 3.4 × 104 and 8.1 × 104 M−1, respectively. The experimental results suggest these complexes interact with DNA through groove-binding mode. The complexes show significant photocleavage of supercoiled DNA proceeds via a type-II process forming singlet oxygen as the reactive species. Antimicrobial photodynamic therapy was studied using photodynamic antimicrobial chemotherapy assay against Escherichia coli and all complexes exhibited significant reduction in bacterial growth on photoirradiation.