Boran Gülen, RukiyeSonkaya, ÖmerErkan, Dilek SadifeToksoy, AlihanAlgı, Melek PamukAlgı, Fatih2023-01-112023-01-1120221572-1000https:/dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.pdpdt.2022.103110https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12451/9861Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a method for the treatment of cancer. Furthermore, PDT can also be used for the eradication of bacteria. The photo-sensitizing drug, a.k.a photosensitizer, is critical for the success of PDT. Although norsquaraines are analogs of squaraine dyes, they are overlooked as photosensitizers. Methods: In this work, synthesis, characterization, bioimaging and in vitro PDT applications of a new norsquaraine dye 1 were described. We also prepared nanoparticles from norsquaraine 1 and Pluronic F127 to obtain 1@F127. Results: Norsquaraine 1 boosted the generation of reactive oxygen species over a wide range of pH (pH 8.0, 7.0, 6.0, and 2.2.). Furthermore, 1 was internalized by epidermoid laryngeal carcinoma Hep-2 (Hep-2) cells and used for fluorescence imaging. Remarkably, norsquaraine 1 destroyed most of the cancer cells (ca. 77% to 89%) after illumination with red light. Most strikingly, 1 successfully inhibited the growth of Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) upon illumination. Last but not least, photodynamic sterilization of tomato juice, an acidic beverage, was feasible using 1 as a photo sterilizer. Nano formulation of 1 with Pluronic F127 provided 1@F127 nanoparticles. It is lucid that 1@F127 nanoparticles permeate into Hep-2 cells and boost the generation of ROS upon illumination. Conclusion: Norsquaraine 1 shows superior features as a photosensitizer pertinent to PDT in a wide range of pH. This norsquaraine is endowed with anticancer and antibacterial activities. Which should be further evaluated.eninfo:eu-repo/semantics/embargoedAccessAntimicrobial Photodynamic TherapyBioimagingCancerMethicillin-resistant Staphylococcus AureusNorsquarainePhotosensitizerArticle40---10.1016/j.pdpdt.2022.10311036070851Q1WOS:000874612400007Q3