Abstract
Rose bengal (RB) which exhibits high singlet oxygen (1O2) yield is a clinical promising photosensitizer in anticancer therapy. Several RB hydrophobic derivatives (e.g., acetate) have been developed to facilitate intracellular accumulation. Nanoparticles also serve as effective carriers to deliver these compounds to the tumor microenvironment, or to cross biological barriers such as cell membranes. In this study, RB molecules were encapsulated in a mixture of chitosan, polyvinyl alcohol and branched polyethylenimine (bPEI) with hydrophobic iron oxide nanoparticles through an oil-in-water emulsion method. The as-prepared multipolymeric magnetic nanoclusters displayed high water dispersibility and the cationic groups of bPEI were effective for RB loading through electrostatic interaction. In addition, triggered release of the loaded drugs also occurred simultaneously during the photodynamic reaction. The improvement of photodynamic-stimulated triggered release holds great promise in precise control of drug delivery.