meso-Substituted BODIPY fluorescent probes for cellular bio-imaging and anticancer activity

Abstract

A series of meso-substituted thienyl BODIPY analogues (1, 1a–g) have been designed and synthesized. Among those, compounds 1c, 1d and 1e show biocompatibility towards endothelial cells whereas 1c and 1d show significant cytotoxicity towards cancerous cells. The formation of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the activation of the apoptotic protein may be a plausible mechanism for the anti-proliferative nature of 1c and 1d. Additionally, compounds 1c, 1d, and 1e fluoresce inside the cancer cells. The combined results suggest the future theranostic (therapeutics + diagnostics) applications of 1c and 1d in cancer diseases.