A GSH-activatable ruthenium(<scp>ii</scp>)-azo photosensitizer for two-photon photodynamic therapy

Abstract

A glutathione (GSH)-activatable ruthenium(ii)-azo photosensitizer was prepared. The complex had low toxicity towards cells under dark conditions. It exhibited excellent phototoxicity under two-photon excitation (810 nm) and thus was developed as a two-photon photodynamic anticancer agent for cancer therapy.