Chloroaluminium phthalocyanine polymeric nanoparticles as photosensitisers: Photophysical and physicochemical characterisation, release and phototoxicity in vitro

[Display omitted] Nanoparticles of poly(d,l-lactide-co-glycolide), poly(d,l-lactide) and polyethylene glycol-block-poly(d,l-lactide) were developed to encapsulate chloroaluminium phthalocyanine (AlClPc), a new hydrophobic photosensitiser used in photodynamic therapy (PDT). The mean nanoparticle size varied from 115 to 274nm, and the encapsulation efficiency ranged from 57% to 96% due to drug precipitation induced by different types of polymer. All nanoparticle formulations presented negative zeta potential values (–37mV to –59mV), explaining their colloidal stability. The characteristic photophysical parameters were analysed: the absorption spectrum profile, fluorescence quantum yield and transient absorbance decay, with similar values for free and nanoparticles of AlClPc. The time-resolved spectroscopy measurements for AlClPc triplet excited state lifetimes indicate that encapsulation in nanocapsules increases triplet lifetime, which is advantageous for PDT efficiency. A sustained release profile over 168h was obtained using external sink method. An in vitro phototoxic effect higher than 80% was observed in human fibroblasts at low laser light doses (3J/cm2) with 10μM of AlClPc. The AlClPc loaded within polymeric nanocapsules presented suitable physical stability, improved photophysical properties, sustained released profile and suitable activity in vitro to be considered a promising formulation for PDT.