Aminophenoxy-substituted zinc(II) phthalocyanines as basic photosensitizers for conjugation with biologically active moieties via amide bond

Photodynamic therapy with a photosensitizer functionalized with biologically active compounds such as amino acids or short peptides appears to be a promising strategy for targeted-oriented therapy. The photodynamic process is based on effective action between a photosensitizer, atmospheric molecular oxygen and specific light from visible to near infrared spectra (630 - 850 nm). Thus results in generation of singlet oxygen and other reactive oxygen species which can oxidize the varieties of biomolecules with consequential photocytotoxicity. Particular functionalization of phthalocyanine macrocycle with biologically-active units as amino acids and peptides aims to improve the solubility of the molecule of phthalocyanine as well as to enhance the cellular uptake of the photosensitizer and to improve the selectivity to the pathogenic cells.