Background:
We report herein the synthesis of a novel dicationic boron dipyrromethene derivative (compound 3) which is symmetrically
substituted with two trimethylammonium styryl groups.
Methods:
The antibacterial photodynamic activity of compound 3 was determined against sixteen
methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) strains, including four ATCC type strains (ATCC 43300, ATCC BAA-42, ATCC BAA-43, and
ATCC BAA-44), two mutant strains [AAC(6’)-APH(2”) and RN4220/pUL5054], and ten non-duplicate clinical strains of hospital- and communityassociated MRSA. Upon light irradiation, the minimum bactericidal concentrations of compound 3 were in the range of 1.56-50 µM against all the sixteen
MRSA strains. Interestingly, compound 3 was not only more active than an analogue in which the ammonium groups are not directly connected to the pconjugated system (compound 4), but also showed significantly higher (p < 0.05) antibacterial potency than the clinically approved photosensitizer
methylene blue. The skin irritation of compound 3 during topical application was tested on human 3-D skin constructs and proven to be non-irritant in
vivo at concentrations below 1.250 mM. In the murine MRSA infected wound study, the colony forming unit reduction of compound 3 + PDT group
showed significantly (p < 0.05) higher value (>2.5 log10) compared to other test groups except for the positive control.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, the
present study provides a scientific basis for future development of compound 3 as a potent photosensitizer for photodynamic therapy for MRSA wound
infection.
A Novel Dicationic Boron Dipyrromethene-based Photosensitizer for Antimicrobial Photodynamic Therapy against Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus
