Some Natural Photosensitizers and Their Medicinal Properties for Use in Photodyn

Some Natural Photosensitizers and Their Medicinal Properties for Use in
Photodynamic Therapy
by Tomasz Piotr Kubrak, Przemysław Kołodziej, Jan Sawicki, Anna Mazur,
Katarzyna Koziorowska and David Aebisher
Molecules 2022, 27(4), 1192; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules27041192 -
10 Feb 2022
Cited by 47 | Viewed by 6521
Abstract Despite significant advances in early diagnosis and treatment,
cancer is one of the leading causes of death. Photodynamic therapy (PDT)
is a therapy for the treatment of many diseases, including cancer. This
therapy uses a combination of a photosensitizer (PS), light irradiation
of appropriate length and molecular oxygen. The photodynamic effect
kills cancer cells through apoptosis, necrosis, or autophagy of tumor
cells. PDT is a promising approach for eliminating various cancers but
is not yet as widely applied in therapy as conventional chemotherapy.
Currently, natural compounds with photosensitizing properties are being
discovered and identified. A reduced toxicity to healthy tissues and a
lower incidence of side effects inspires scientists to seek natural PS
for PDT. In this review, several groups of compounds with photoactive
properties are presented. The use of natural products has been shown to
be a fruitful approach in the discovery of novel pharmaceuticals. This
review focused on the anticancer activity of furanocoumarins,
polyacetylenes, thiophenes, tolyporphins, curcumins, alkaloid and
anthraquinones in relation to the light-absorbing properties. Attention
will be paid to their phototoxic and anti-cancer effects on various
types of cancer. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Photosensitizer: Design,
Characteriazation and Application)