Computational Studies of the Photogeneration from Dihydrosanguinarine and the Probable Cytotoxicity Mechanism of Sanguinarine

A computational investigation of the mechanism dihydrosanguinarine (DHSAN) photoactivation and its conversion into active drug sanguinarine (SAN) is here reported. The reaction DHSAN photoconversion was fully explored by considering excitation first, essential for generating one reactants, 1O2, then locating all minima transition states involved in formation SAN. Both forms present at physiological pH, namely, iminium cation alkanolamine, were considered as products such reaction. ability generated SAN to induce cell apoptosis explored, taking consideration two anticancer activities: induction DNA conformational functional changes intercalation absorption light with proper wavelength trigger type II photochemical reactions leading 1O2 sensitization photodynamic therapy application. Concerning work photosensitizers, outcomes our calculations prove that can easily be converted under visible NIR irradiation through application two-photon excitation, maximum SAN, once intercalated DNA, shifts near region therapeutic window.