Singlet oxygen generation potential of thiolated methoxy-polyethyleneglycol encapsulated superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles-gold core-shell meso-5, 10, 15, 20-tetrakis (4-hydroxyphenyl) porphyrin.

Singlet oxygen is a dominant reactive oxygen species that determine the fate of photodynamic therapy efficacy. We herein report the singlet oxygen generation potential of a newly synthesized superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles-gold core-shell porphyrin conjugate prepared for the purpose of achieving magnetically-driven porphyrin structure. Successful conjugation was achieved via encapsulation within thiolated methoxy polyethylene glycol matrix following solvent evaporation approach. The magnetic PEGylated porphyrin nano-construct was characterized using optical absorption, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and zeta potential techniques. The as-synthesized porphyrin conjugate emits red and near-infrared light at various excitations from ultraviolet to visible, shows strong attraction towards external magnetic field and exhibits high singlet oxygen generation potential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]