Synthesis, characterization, and investigation of singlet oxygen, DNA interaction, and topoisomerase I inhibition properties of novel zinc(II) phthalocyanine

In this work, phthalonitrile (3) and zinc(II) phthalocyanine (4) were prepared. To determine the photodynamic therapy potential of compound 4, singlet oxygen quantum yield, DNA binding and cleavage, and topoisomerase I inhibition experiments were performed. The singlet oxygen quantum yield value of compound 4 was found higher than that of the standard unsubstituted zinc(II) phthalocyanine compound (Std-ZnPc). The binding experiments showed that compound 4 interacted with ct-DNA strongly via nonintercalation mode. pBR322 plasmid DNA cleavage activity of the compound was investigated using agarose gel electrophoresis.