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Published on: September 19, 2014
Bay Leaf Extract-Based Near-Infrared Fluorescent Probe for Tissue and Cellular Imaging
Benilde Adriano1,2, Nycol M Cotto1,2, Neeraj Chauhan1,2
1Department of Immunology and Microbiology, School of Medicine, University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, McAllen, TX 78504, USA.
Abstract:
The development of fluorescence dyes for near-infrared (NIR) fluorescence imaging has been a significant interest for deep tissue imaging. Among many imaging fluoroprobes, indocyanine green (ICG) and its analogues have been used in oncology and other medical applications. However, these imaging agents still experience poor imaging capabilities due to low tumor targetability, photostability, and sensitivity in the biological milieu. Thus, developing a biocompatible NIR imaging dye from natural resources holds the potential of facilitating cancer cell/tissue imaging. Chlorophyll (Chl) has been demonstrated to be a potential candidate for imaging purposes due to its natural NIR absorption qualities and its wide availability in plants and green vegetables. Therefore, it was our aim to assess the fluorescence characteristics of twelve dietary leaves as well as the fluorescence of their Chl extractions. Bay leaf extract, a high-fluorescence agent that showed the highest levels of fluorescence, was further evaluated for its tissue contrast and cellular imaging properties. Overall, this study confirms bay-leaf-associated dye as a NIR fluorescence imaging agent that may have important implications for cellular imaging and image-guided cancer surgery.
Insights
Bay leaf extract, rich in chlorophyll, shows high fluorescence for near-infrared imaging. This natural dye offers potential for improved cancer cell and tissue visualization in medical applications.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Optics
- Natural Product Chemistry
- Cancer Imaging
Background:
- Near-infrared (NIR) fluorescence imaging is crucial for deep tissue visualization.
- Current NIR agents like indocyanine green (ICG) have limitations in tumor targeting, photostability, and sensitivity.
- Natural resources offer potential for developing biocompatible and effective NIR imaging dyes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the fluorescence characteristics of chlorophyll (Chl) extracted from dietary leaves for NIR imaging.
- To evaluate bay leaf extract as a potential NIR fluorescence imaging agent.
- To assess its capabilities for tissue contrast and cellular imaging.
Main Methods:
- Extraction and fluorescence assessment of chlorophyll from twelve dietary leaf sources.
- Detailed evaluation of bay leaf extract for fluorescence properties.
- Testing of bay leaf extract for tissue contrast and cellular imaging performance.
Main Results:
- Bay leaf extract exhibited the highest fluorescence among all tested samples.
- The chlorophyll-derived dye from bay leaves demonstrated significant fluorescence.
- The extract showed promising tissue contrast and cellular imaging capabilities.
Conclusions:
- Bay leaf extract serves as a potent natural source for a biocompatible NIR fluorescence imaging agent.
- This chlorophyll-based dye has potential applications in cellular imaging and image-guided cancer surgery.
- Natural dyes offer a promising alternative to synthetic agents for enhanced medical imaging.
