An insight into the in vivo imaging potential of curcumin analogues as fluorescence probes

Abstract

Curcumin and its derivatives have good electrical and optical properties due to the highly symmetric structure of delocalized π electrons. Apart from that, curcumin and its derivatives can interact with numerous molecular targets, thereby exerting less side effects on human body. The fluorescence emission wavelength and fluorescence intensity of curcumin can be enhanced by modifying its π-conjugated system and ß-diketone structure. Some curcumin-based fluorescent probes have been utilized to detect soluble/insoluble amyloid-ß protein, intracranial reactive oxygen species, cysteine, cancer cells, etc. Based on the binding characteristics of curcumin-based fluorescent probes with various target molecules, the factors affecting the fluorescence intensity and emission wavelength of the probes are analyzed, in order to obtain a curcumin probe with higher sensitivity and selectivity. Such an approach will be greatly applicable to in vivo fluorescence imaging.

Graphical abstract

Curcumin-based fluorescence probes with high selectivity and sensitivity suitable for in vivo imaging were prepared by introducing difluoroboron ring, aminomethyl, ester and other structural modifications to curcumin, which could be utilized to detect soluble/insoluble amyloid-ß protein, intracranial ROS, cysteine and cancer cells in NIR region. The probes have excellent fluorescence response to the detected substances and are beneficial to imaging observation, which exert less side effect on human body.