Polyhydric Corrole and Its Gallium Complex: Synthesis, DNA‐binding Properties and Photodynamic Activities

Abstract

Abstract A new hydrophilic polyhydric corrole ( 1 ) and its Ga(III) complex ( 1 ‐Ga) were synthesized and characterized. Corroles 1 and 1 ‐Ga bind to calf thymus DNA externally and exhibit remarkable photonuclease‐like activity. Singlet oxygen ( 1 O 2 ) was identified as the reactive oxygen species involved. These corroles also exhibit significant photocytotoxicity against HeLa, A549, BEL‐7402 and HepG2 tumor cell lines. They mainly accumulated in the nuclei of tumor cells. ROS‐mediated mitochondrial damage and intracellular DNA disintegration contributed to the observed photodynamic activity.