Nitric oxide delivery platforms derived from a photoactivatable Mn(II) nitrosyl complex: Entry to photopharmacology

The manganese nitrosyl complex derived from a designed pentadentate ligand with one carboxamido group N,N-bis(2-pyridylmethyl)amine-N-ethyl-2-pyridine-2-carboxamide (PaPy3H; H is the dissociable carboxamide H), namely, [Mn(PaPy3)(NO)]ClO4 (1), serves as an excellent biocompatible source of nitric oxide (NO) when exposed to low power (10–100 mW/cm2) visible light. This complex has afforded a series of NO delivery platforms that could find applications in combating chronic infections by drug-resistant bacteria under the control of light. Nitric Oxide delivery platforms derived from the photoactive manganese nitrosyl complex [Mn(PaPy3)(NO)]ClO4 shows promise in the treatment of chronic infections caused by drug-resistant pathogens. The antibiotic (NO) delivery can be conveniently controlled by exposure to visible light. [Display omitted] •Controlled exposure to nitric oxide (NO) induces cellular apoptosis.•Photoactivatable metal nitrosyl complexes release NO under illumination.•Such NO donors have been incorporated in biocompatible materials and nanoparticles.•These composite materials deliver NO to selected cellular targets on demand.•Light-triggered NO delivery exhibits promise in antibacterial treatments.