The triplet state of tanshinone I and its synergic effect on the phototherapy of cancer cells with curcumin

Spectrochim Acta A Mol Biomol Spectrosc. 2015:150:181-6. doi: 10.1016/j.saa.2015.05.062. Epub 2015 May 29.

Abstract

The excited triplet state of tanshinone I (Tan I) extracted from the traditional Chinese medicine Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge was characterized by laser flash photolysis. The synergic effect of Tan I on the phototherapy of cancer cells with curcumin (Cur) was also investigated by MTT assay because the excited energy transfer from the triplet state of Tan I ((3)Tan I(∗)) to Cur occurred. At the same time, the characteristic absorption spectra of (3)Tan I(∗) were recorded, and its molar absorption coefficient and rate constants for several excited energy transfers were obtained. The photo-therapeutic effect of Cur is enhanced by combination with Tan I.

Keywords: Excited energy transfer; Laser flash photolysis; MTT assay; Rate constant; Synergic effect; Tanshinone I.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Abietanes / chemistry
  • Abietanes / pharmacology*
  • Antineoplastic Agents* / chemistry
  • Antineoplastic Agents* / pharmacology
  • Curcumin / pharmacology*
  • Drug Synergism
  • Drugs, Chinese Herbal / chemistry
  • Drugs, Chinese Herbal / pharmacology
  • Energy Transfer
  • Humans
  • Lasers
  • Molecular Structure
  • Neoplasms / pathology
  • Neoplasms / therapy*
  • Photolysis
  • Phototherapy* / methods
  • Salvia miltiorrhiza / chemistry
  • Tumor Cells, Cultured

Substances

  • Abietanes
  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Drugs, Chinese Herbal
  • tanshinone
  • Curcumin