Exploring New Mitochondria-Targetable Theragnostic Styrylbodipys

Two analogs of a previous mitochondria-targetable theragnostic styrylBODIPY have been designed, synthesized, and submitted to preliminary studies in order to explore their capability to act as new theragnostic agents with absorption in the red region. The new dyes are obtained through a straightforward and low-cost synthetic protocol and have styryl moieties bearing non-delocalized cations (trimethylammonium) attached to the BODIPY through a spacer, or directly linked. Preliminary results of them in cell bioimaging showed internalization into HeLa cells and accumulation into mitochondria. Photodynamic therapy was also analyzed, demonstrating the viability of this red styrylBODIPY as mitochondria-targetable photo-theragnostic agent.