Synthesis of Strontium titanate nanoparticles and investigation of their ability to produce reactive oxygen species in UVA irradiation

Photodynamic Therapy (PDT) is a treatment method based on the interaction between photosensitizers, light, and oxygen. First, a light source that is right for this method activates a photosensitizer substance that is taken up by cancer cells. This makes reactive oxygen species, which kill and stop cancer cells from spreading. Reactive oxygen species include singlet oxygen (O-2) and hydroxyl radicals (OH-), produced naturally in biological processes. These species are used as one of the therapeutic methods in cancer treatment because they can destroy cancer cells so that they can react with biological components such as lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids to damage them and accelerate cancer treatment. They are used due to their unique features, such as their large surface-to-volume ratio, light activation property, transportability in biological systems, and the ability to accumulate in the target areas of the disease. Nanoparticles in photodynamic therapy have been investigated to treat many diseases, including cancer, infections, and vascular diseases.

Methods & Materials:

 In this study, Strontium titanate nanoparticles were manufactured by solvothermal method, and for the first time the ability of nanoparticles to produce Reactive Oxygen Species including hydroxyl radical and singlet oxygen by stimulating them with UVA was investigated.

Due to their special properties, srTiO3 nanoparticles can selectively accumulate in cancer cells and generate ROS with balanced light irradiation. These ROS can damage cancer cells and eventually lead to death. The absorption spectrum of the reagent solutions showed that strontium titanate nanoparticles could make hydroxyl radicals and singlet oxygen. The ability of strontium titanate nanoparticles to produce reactive oxygen species was confirmed, and nanoparticles can be used as photosensitizers in the photodynamic therapy method for cancer treatment