Nanostructured photosensitizer based on a tetracationic derivative of bacteriochlorin for antibacterial photodynamic therapy

Making antibacterial PDT more effective is a task that calls for the development of photosensitizers (PS) based on polycationic synthetic bacteriochlorins and subsequent analysis of properties of such photosensitizers. This study aimed to explore photophysical and antibacterial properties of the nanostructured PS based on 3-Py4BSHp4Br4, tetracationic amphiphilic derivative of synthetic bacteriochlorin. The PS was solubilized in a 4% Kolliphor ELP to obtain its nanostructured dispersion. We researched the absorption and fluorescence spectra intensity and profiles, studying concentrations from 0.001 to 0.2 mM, and found that the aggregation level of the PS in question is low throughout the range investigated while the S. aureus (gram-positive) and P. aeruginosa and K. pneumoniae (gram-negative) PD inactivation effectiveness is high.