A simple strategy
for synthesizing supramolecular hybrids was developed
for the preparation of bioavailable nanohybrid photosensitizers by
assembling visible-light-sensitive Pt(II) meso-tetrakis(4-carboxyphenyl)porphyrinporphyrin
(PtTCPP)/tomatine analogues. The hybrids were self-assembled into
nanofibrous or nanosheet structures approximately 3–5 nm thick
and several micrometers wide. α-Tomatine generated a unique
fibrous vesicle nanostructure based on intermolecular interactions,
while dehydrotomatine generated nanosheet structures. Nanoassembly
of these fibrous vesicles and sheets directly affected the properties
of the light-responsive photosensitizer for tumor photodynamic therapy
(PDT), depending on the nanostructure of the hybrid PtTCPP/tomatine
analogues. The cytotoxicity of PtTCPP to cancer cells under photoirradiation
was significantly enhanced by a tomatine assembly with a fibrous vesicle
nanostructure, attributable to increased incorporation of the drug
into cells.