Isolation, identification, and apoptosis activity of the photosensitizer methyl pheophorbide A from Perilla frutescens leaves

Abstract Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a promising cancer treatment with fewer side effects, and it eliminates tumors in target tissues reactive oxygen species produced by photosensitizers (PS) light. In this study, we isolated methyl pheophorbide A, which induces photodynamic cell death the U937 SK-HEP-1 cells, from perilla leaves. Its potential as material for development of new PS was also evaluated. The A dark green porphyrin compound methanol extract Apoptosis occurred treated irradiated light, there no significant change where light not treated. both apoptotic body, vesicle formation, DNA ladder were confirmed light-irradiated. caspase-3/7 activity an important factor apoptosis, 101.50 ± 14.24% when 0.25 μg/ml U937, 91.32 16.23% 1.00 cells. phenomenon appeared more strongly concentration increased irradiating This study demonstrates isolation, identification, phototoxic We expect that will be useful search candidates using natural products.