Methylene Blue Loaded Cu–Tryptone Complex Nanoparticles: A New Glutathione-Reduced Enhanced Photodynamic Therapy Nanoplatform

The concentration of intracellular reactive oxygen species directly determines the effect of photodynamic therapy. Reducing intracellular glutathione (GSH) content can increase reactive oxygen species (ROS) level. Therefore, it is extremely important to construct a nanoplatform that can promote photodynamic therapy by consuming GSH. In this study, we synthesized Cu–typtone complex nanoparticles (Cu–Try NPs) by a simple green method and demonstrated their ability to consume GSH to increase intracellular ROS for the first time. Photosensitizer methylene blue was loaded onto Cu–Try NPs (Cu–Try/MB NPs) for enhanced photodynamic therapy. Studies in vitro and in vivo illustrated that enhanced photodynamic therapy based on Cu–Try/MB NPs can kill cancer cells effectively.