姜黄素 (CUR) 是一种从姜黄中提取的天然化合物，在光动力疗法 (PDT) 中显示出作为光敏剂的潜力。这项工作的目的是通过使用二氧化钛 (TiO2) 纳米颗粒和一种名为 Sofast 的阳离子聚合物对其进行改性，以创建纳米复合材料 TiO2-CUR-Sofast (TCS)，从而提高 CUR 的功效。与未修饰的 CUR 相比，TCS 在 400-550 nm 范围内的吸收波长中表现出向更长波长的展宽，从而改善了 CUR 吸收。 TCS 的细胞吸收效率也得到提高，其活性氧 (ROS) 生成量比 CUR 高出近 4.7 倍。此外，TCS 显示出附着在细胞膜上并在 30 分钟潜伏期内进入细胞的能力。辐射后，TCS 表现出显着的细胞毒性，导致各种癌细胞的活力显着降低。细胞内还原型烟酰胺腺嘌呤二核苷酸（磷酸）（NAD(P)H）和黄素腺嘌呤二核苷酸（FAD）酶的自体荧光寿命成像表明，经 TCS 和辐射处理的癌细胞经历了从氧化磷酸化到糖酵解的代谢途径转变。这些发现凸显了 TCS 作为癌症治疗有效 PDT 药物的潜力。版权所有 © 2024。由 Elsevier B.V. 出版。

Curcumin (CUR), a natural compound extracted from turmeric, has shown potential as a photosensitizer in photodynamic therapy (PDT). The aim of this work was to enhance the efficacy of CUR by modifying it using titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles and a cationic polymer called Sofast to create a nanocomposite TiO2-CUR-Sofast (TCS). Compared to unmodified CUR, TCS exhibited a broadening toward longer wavelength in the absorption wavelength within the 400-550 nm range, leading to improved CUR absorption. Cellular uptake efficiency of TCS was also enhanced, and it demonstrated nearly 4.7-fold higher reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation than CUR. Furthermore, TCS displayed the ability to attach to the cell membrane and enter cells within a 30-min incubation period. Upon irradiation, TCS exhibited remarkable cytotoxicity, resulting in a significant reduction in the viability of various cancer cells. Autofluorescence lifetime imaging of intracellular reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (phosphate) (NAD(P)H) and flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD) enzymes indicated that cancer cells treated with TCS and irradiation undergo a metabolic pathway shift from oxidative phosphorylation to glycolysis. These findings highlight the potential of TCS as an effective PDT agent for cancer treatment.Copyright © 2024. Published by Elsevier B.V.