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Laser photosensitization of cells by hypericin
A Andreoni1, A Colasanti, P Colasanti
1Centro di Endocrinologia ed Oncologia Sperimentale-C.N.R., Napoli, Italy.
Photochemistry and Photobiology
|May 1, 1994
Summary
Hypericin, a photosensitizing drug, effectively kills neoplastic cells at significantly lower doses when activated by light. This photocytocidal activity surpasses that of conventional chemotherapy drugs and previously reported antiviral effects.
Area of Science:
- Photodynamic Therapy
- Cancer Research
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Hypericin is a polycyclic quinone with photosensitizing properties.
- Neoplastic cells, specifically MPTK-6 derived from rat thyroid carcinoma lung metastases, were studied.
- Normal epithelial cells (FRTL-5) served as a control.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the photocytocidal efficacy of hypericin on neoplastic cells.
- To compare hypericin's efficacy with existing antitumor drugs and its known antiviral activity.
- To determine the optimal light dose and wavelength for hypericin-mediated cell kill.
Main Methods:
- Incubation of FRTL-5 and MPTK-6 cell lines with hypericin.
- Irradiation of cells with 90 J/cm2 of light at 599 nm.
- Comparison of cell kill rates in light-treated vs. dark conditions.
- Comparison with daunomycin and mitoxanthrone.
Main Results:
- Hypericin demonstrated significant photocytocidal activity, killing neoplastic cells at drug doses 1000 times lower than dark conditions.
- The photocytocidal efficacy on neoplastic cells was superior to daunomycin and mitoxanthrone.
- Photosensitized antiviral activity of hypericin was also noted.
Conclusions:
- Hypericin is a potent photosensitizer for killing neoplastic cells, offering a potential therapeutic advantage.
- Light-activated hypericin presents a more effective cancer treatment strategy compared to dark administration.
- Further research into hypericin as a photocytocidal agent is warranted.