Evaluation of antimicrobial photodynamic activities of 5‐aminolevulinic acid derivatives

• Published in: Photodermatology, photoimmunology & photomedicine photoimmunology & photomedicine, 2021-07, Vol.37 (4), p.296-305
• Main Authors: Sajjad, Faiza, Sun, Ning‐Ning, Chen, Ting, Yan, Yi‐Jia, Margetić, Davor, Chen, Zhi‐Long
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: 5‐ALA derivatives; antimicrobial photodynamic therapy; Escherichia coli; photosensitizers; Staphylococcus aureus
• ISSN: 0905-4383; 1600-0781
• DOI: 10.1111/phpp.12652

Background Antibiotic resistance is increasing day by day, thereby increase the chances of more infections by resistant bacteria. In this situation, antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) is gaining more attraction. Objective To evaluate the antimicrobial effect of ALA derivatives using photodynamic therapy. Materials and methods In this study, we evaluated the aPDT effect of different derivatives of 5‐ALA. In vivo and in vitro studies were performed to measure the antimicrobial activity. Different light doses and different concentrations of drugs were used to test anti‐bacterial effect of drugs as well as to detect any physiological changes in animal model after the treatment. Results In vivo studies revealed that ALA‐methyl ester, ALA‐hexyl ester, and ALA‐13A are potent photosensitizers. In vitro studies involved wound healing rate, body weight, and dietary intake were evaluated, and results showed that ALA, ALA‐methyl ester, ALA‐hexyl ester, and ALA‐13A had good anti‐bacterial effects, fast healing rate, and no effect on other physical parameters. Conclusion Photodynamic therapy is increasingly used to treat different types of skin infections caused by bacterial strains. Our studies revealed that ALA‐methyl ester, ALA‐hexyl ester, and ALA‐13A are promising photosensitizers for photodynamic therapy to inhibit the growth of resistant bacterial strains.