Effect of phosphatydylcholine on spectral properties and photostability of 3,3′-diethyloxadicarbocyanine iodide (DODCI) — a potent anti-tumor photosensitizer

Abstract The potential anti-tumor photosensitizer 3,3′-diethyloxadicarbocyanine iodide (DODCI) has been immobilized in dimyristoyl phosphatidylcholine (DMPC) vesicles. Binding of the dicarbocyanine to the lipid vesicles induces several changes in the electronic absorption, emission and excitation spectra of the dye. The monomeric dye molecules exist in at least two forms when immobilized in the DMPC liposomes and the non-luminescing H-aggregates of the dye show efficient excitation energy transfer to the DODCI monomers. Entrapment of the dye in the liposomes generally decreases the photostability of DODCI. While emission from singlet oxygen (1O2) has not been recorded, indirect results sugg…