In the present work, we achieved a multifunctional antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anti-cancer platform by designing and encapsulating phenolic PDT drug/FeIII complex (PBI-DOPA/FeIII) into the CMC-based biocompatible hydrogel film matrix. The photosensitive CMC-CA/PBI-DOPA/FeIII system was synthesized via a one-pot process, in which the PBI-DOPA/FeIII complex can be trapped during the CMC cross-linking process by citric acid. The phenolic groups of PBI-DOPA can play a dual role, either being chelated by iron ions or otherwise imparting antioxidant properties to the hydrogel film. The presence of metal ions exerts an advantageous effect on oxygen production and phototoxicity of the photosensitive system by facilitating ISC (intersystem crossing). In vitro PDT potential of CMC-CA/PBI-DOPA/Fe (III) film and free PBI-DOPA was assessed on cancerous MCF-7 and non-cancerous MCF10A cell lines. As we expected, the PDT efficiency of encapsulated PBI-DOPA was dramatically enhanced compared to the free form and could induce up to 65% cancer cell apoptosis. Moreover, the photosensitive system proved effective antimicrobial activity against S.aureus (ATCC 6538) that greatly killed and inhibited the growth of microbes. Therefore, the innovative multifunctional CMC-CA/PBI-DOPA/Fe (III) hydrogel film with superior antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anticancer properties, which achieved enhanced cytotoxicity through PBI-DOPA/FeIII complexes, could serve as a promising efficient weapon in PDT against breast cancer and bacterial infections by minimizing side effects.
