Photodynamic activity of 2, 6-dibrominated dimethylaminophenylbuta-1, 3-dienylBODIPY dyes

Mono- and disubstituted 2,6-dibromo-dimethylaminophenylbuta-1,3-dienylBODIPY dyes were successfully prepared, and their in vitro photodynamic activities against MCF-7 breast cancer cells were evaluated with a Thorlabs M660L4 660 nm LED (336 J · cm−2)−2). The IC5050 value of the monophenylbuta-1,3-dienylBODIPY was ca. 2.1 μμM, while that of the diphenylbuta-1,3-dienylBODIPY was > 50 μμM. Both dyes exhibited minimal dark toxicity. The results demonstrate that monosubstituted 2,6-dibromo-dimethylaminophenylbuta-1,3-dienylBODIPY dyes merit further in-depth study for use as photosensitizer dyes in photodynamic therapy