Phthalocyanines and graphene quantum dots nano-systems as dual anti-cancer sensitizers for photo-sonodynamic combinatorial therapy

Abstract

This work reports on the preparation of cationic thiazole phthalocyanines (Pcs) conjugates to nitrogen doped (NGQDs) and nitrogen co-doped (NSGQDs) graphene quantum dots (GQDs). The photo-sonodynamic combinatorial therapy (PSDT) activities of the conjugates were determined in vitro using cancer cells lines. The conjugates demonstrated the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) under the treatment technique. The singlet oxygen and hydroxyl radicals were generated by the Pc-GQDs upon exposure to light ad low frequency ultrasound in PSDT. Additionally, cancer eradication was observed in vitro for the PSDT treatment using the Pc-GQDs conjugates. The ROS generation and cell eradication studies showed that the NGQDs conjugates performed better compared to the NSGQDs conjugates. The PSDT treatments were compared to the photodynamic therapy (PDT) and sonodynamic therapy (SDT) monotreatments. For the combination therapies, both the ROS generation and the cancer eradication efficiencies were increased compared to the PDT and SDT monotreatments. • Zn phthalocyanines are conjugated to N and NS doped graphene quantum dots (GQDs). • The conjugates are used photo-sonodynamic therapy against cancer cells. • N doped GQDs conjugates performed better than NS doped GQDs conjugates.