Potential Applications of Cucurbit[n]urils Inclusion Complexes in Photodynamic Therapy

Abstract

Cucurbit[n]urils (CB[n]s) have emerged as potential candidates for drug delivery in several areas due to their strong binding interactions and low toxicity. More recently, their benefits for a type of cancer treatment termed Photodynamic Therapy (PDT) have been recognized. The outcomes of this therapy rely on better drug delivery strategies and improving overall photoactivity of the drugs, which is where CB[n]s could have a strong impact. The effects of these molecular containers on photoactivity are discussed and new interesting work is highlighted.

Applications of Cucurbiturils in Medicinal Chemistry and Chemical Biology

“…CBs have also been explored in regard to their potential to serve as enhancement agents for photosensitizer drugs utilized in photodynamic therapy (PDT), which has recently been reviewed (Robinson-Duggon et al, 2018). PDT applications have been extended from discrete CB•photosensitizer host-guest complexes to elaborate nanomaterials and supramolecular assemblies.…”

Turn-On Supramolecular Host-Guest Nanosystems as Theranostics for Cancer

“…43,44 CB[n]s have shown great potential in the biomedical field because of their strong binding interactions and low toxicity. 45 As a prelude to applications of CB[n]s, Nau and co-workers conducted a comprehensive assessment of their toxicities. 46 The results of in vitro cell studies indicate that CB[n]s have sufficiently low toxicities.…”

Fatty Acid Conjugates of Toluidine Blue O as Amphiphilic Photosensitizers: Synthesis, Solubility, Photophysics and Photochemical Properties†

“…Besides, there is no ideal PS, and there have been reports of different biochemical and pharmaceutical approaches to improve the overall performance of the PS, its biodistribution and bioaccumulation. These approaches include supramolecular encapsulation (14,(16)(17)(18), liposomes and protein adducts (19)(20)(21)(22)(23). Also, synthetic approaches have been conducted to increase the hydrophobicity of the PS for better membrane permeability and selectivity toward different organelles, impacting their phototoxicity (24)(25)(26)(27).…”