Porphyrins and phthalocyanines: promising molecules for light-triggered antibacterial nanoparticles

Light-triggered treatments in the presence of photosensitizer and oxygen molecule are prevalent for a wide variety of diseases. The reactive oxygen species (ROS), which are produced in the vicinity of malignant tissue by the light activated sensitizers, are considered as active agents in the photodynamic therapy (PDT). The higher reactivity of photosensitizers in nano state enhances the profile of pharmacokinetics and therapeutic index of the active molecule. In that direction, this review emphasises the application of porphyrin (Por) and phthalocyanine (PC) as nano photosensitizers in the development of antibacterial nanotherapeutic agents for resistant and non-resistant bacteria.