Encapsulation efficacy of natural and synthetic photosensitizers by silica nanoparticles for photodynamic applications

This study analysed the physical effects of Cichorium Pumilum (CP), as a natural photosensitizer (PS), and Protoporphyrin IX (PpIX), as a synthetic PS, encapsulated with silica nanoparticles (SiNPs) in photodynamic therapy. The optimum concentrations of CP and PpIX, needed to destroy Red Blood Cells (RBC), were determined and the efficacy of encapsulated CP and PpIX were compared with naked CP and PpIX was verified. The results confirmed the applicability of CP and PpIX encapsulated in SiNPs on RBCs, and established a relationship between the encapsulated CP and PpIX concentration and the time required to rupture 50% of the RBCs (t₅₀). The CP and PpIX encapsulated in SiNPs exhibited higher efficacy compared with that of naked CP and PpIX, respectively, and CP had less efficacy compared with PpIX.