A new strategy of transforming an ACQ compound into an AIE theranostic system for bacterial imaging and photodynamic antibacterial therapy

Abstract

An organic chemical with fluorescence quenching properties [aggregation‐caused quenching (ACQ)] may often be transformed by adding functional groups that cause aggregation‐induced emission (AIE) to its molecular scaffold. Such structural change techniques, however, sometimes require challenging chemical reactions. SF136 is a type of chalcone, and it is an typical ACQ organic compound. In this study, cationic surfactants like hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) and polyethyleneimine (PEI) were used to convert the ACQ compound SF136 into an AIE compound without adding any AIE structure units. In comparison to SF136, the SF136‐CTAB NPS system not only demonstrated improved bacterial fluorescence imaging capabilities, but also increased photodynamic antibacterial activity, which is connected to its improved targeting and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production abilities. It is a promising theranostic substance against bacteria owing to these enhanced qualities. Other ACQ fluorescent compounds may also benefit from using this approach, broadening the scope of their potential applications.

Design, Synthesis of Hydrogen Peroxide Response AIE Fluorescence Probes Based on Imidazo [1,2-a] Pyridine

“…Unlike traditional fluorescence, which exhibits aggregation-induced quenching (ACQ), molecules with aggregation-induced emission (AIE) have the advantage of almost no emission in a weak solution but high emission in an aggregation state [ 33 ]. AIE serves as a selective “turn-on” fluorescent probe for bioanalysis [ 34 , 35 , 36 , 37 ] and enables long-term monitoring of biological processes due to its exceptional properties, including significant Stokes shifts, photostability, and accurate signal output at high concentrations [ 38 ]. Thus, developing fluorescent probes with AIE properties is very important due to the significant academic value and biological applications of AIE materials.…”

Red/NIR emissive aggregation‐induced emission‐active photosensitizers with strong donor–acceptor strength for image‐guided photodynamic therapy of cancer

“…In addition, conventional PSs exhibit the problem of photodegradation or photobleaching upon continuous light irradiation, which largely limits bioapplications [21]. However, due to the enhanced fluorescence and ROS generation efficiency in the aggregate state [22][23][24], PSs with aggregation-induced emission (AIE) characteristic property have been receiving increasing attention in recent years [25]. By the widely employed donor-acceptor (D-A) PSs constructed show strong red/NIR emission with higher ROS generation ability of ROS [26,27].…”