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Targeted Photodynamic Therapy for Multispecies Dental Biofilms Using Liposome Encapsulated p-Toluquinone
Chen Liang1,2,3, Yongli Li1,3, Zuan-Tao Lin1
1Wellman Center for Photomedicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Department of Dermatology, Harvard Medical School; 50 Blossom Street, Boston, MA 02114, US.
Chemical Engineering Journal (Lausanne, Switzerland : 1996)
|March 9, 2026
Summary
A novel photosensitizer, p-toluquinone (p-TQ), encapsulated in ionizable liposomes (p-TQ@Lipo), effectively targets oral bacteria. Combined with blue light (BL), p-TQ@Lipo eradicates polymicrobial biofilms and reduces periodontal inflammation.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Photodynamic Therapy
- Nanomedicine
Background:
- Oral infections are prevalent, especially with limited dental care access.
- Blue light (BL) therapy shows promise but requires photosensitizers.
- Existing treatments face challenges in efficacy and specificity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a targeted drug delivery system for blue light-activated photosensitizers.
- To evaluate the efficacy of p-toluquinone encapsulated in ionizable liposomes (p-TQ@Lipo) for oral infections.
- To assess the safety and translational potential of this novel antimicrobial platform.
Main Methods:
- Engineered ionizable liposomes to encapsulate p-toluquinone (p-TQ).
- Investigated pH-dependent surface charge changes of p-TQ@Lipo.
- Assessed antimicrobial efficacy against polymicrobial biofilms in vitro and in vivo models.
- Evaluated cytotoxicity in human gingival fibroblasts.
Main Results:
- p-TQ@Lipo demonstrated pH-dependent targeting, with enhanced delivery to acidic environments.
- Combined p-TQ@Lipo and BL therapy achieved >99% bacterial load reduction with high selectivity.
- Successfully disrupted ex vivo biofilms and eradicated in vivo oral infections.
- Significantly reduced periodontal inflammation and hyperplasia in vivo.
Conclusions:
- p-TQ@Lipo plus BL is a potent and selective antimicrobial platform for oral infections.
- The pH-responsive liposomal delivery system enhances photosensitizer efficacy.
- This approach shows significant translational potential for managing oral diseases.
