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Synthesis, Physicochemical Properties and Anti-Fungal Activities of New Meso-Arylporphyrins

Summary

Researchers created three new porphyrin compounds that effectively kill fungal infections like Candida and athlete’s foot fungi. These compounds can also generate singlet oxygen when exposed to light, making them potentially useful for photodynamic therapy treatments. Testing showed they inhibited fungal growth at relatively low concentrations, suggesting they could become new antifungal medications.

Background

Fungal infections cause over 1.5 million deaths annually, with increasing antifungal resistance (AFR) representing a major global public health threat. Porphyrins are important heterocyclic compounds with diverse biological functions, exceptional photochemical and photophysical properties, and potential applications as photosensitizers in photodynamic therapy.

Objective

To synthesize three new meso-arylporphyrins (H₂TNPP, H₂TPPP, and H₂TIPP) and evaluate their physicochemical properties, photophysical characteristics, and in vitro antifungal activities against Candida species and dermatophytes.

Results

The three porphyrins demonstrated singlet oxygen quantum yields (Φ_Δ) around 50%, suitable for photodynamic therapy applications. MIC values against Candida species ranged from 1.25 to 5 mg/mL. Dermatophyte studies showed H₂TPPP achieved 100% inhibition at 5-7.5 mg/mL. Molecular docking revealed key interactions with C. tropicalis extracellular aspartic proteinases and T. rubrum sialidases through hydrogen bonding and van der Waals interactions.

Conclusion

The three novel meso-arylporphyrins exhibited promising antifungal activities against both Candida and dermatophyte species, with potential as lead compounds for new antifungal drug discovery. Their high singlet oxygen production and favorable photophysical properties support their use as photosensitizers in photodynamic therapy applications.
  • Published in:International Journal of Molecular Sciences,
  • Study Type:Experimental Research,
  • Source: PMID: 40076639, DOI: 10.3390/ijms26051991
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