Photodynamic application of protoporphyrin IX as a photosensitizer encapsulated by silica nanoparticles

Abstract

Background: Achieved Silica Nanoparticles (SiNPs) to encapsulate the photosensitizer [Protoporphyrin IX (PpIX)] in photodynamic therapy (PDT) application was reported in this research. Materials and Methods: Cytotoxicity for five different concentrations of encapsulated and naked PpIX was measured. Optimum concentration and optimum exposure time of encapsulated and naked PpIX that needed to destroy the cells (Osteosarcoma cells) was measured. Results: The results showed that the encapsulated PpIX has more efficacy compared to the naked PpIX and the applicability of the encapsulated PpIX-SiNPs was proved on osteosarcoma cells. Conclusion: The results established the important in-vitro photodynamic effectiveness of PpIX-SiNP, which may open a new application for PpIX in its clinical and in-vitro studies.