Abstract
A simple and prospective strategy has been employed to enhance the solubility of a cationic bioactive photosensitizer, namely, phenosafranin (PSF), within the anionic sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) micellar nanocavity using soluble salts. Electrostatic repulsion between the cationic probe trapped at the micelle-water interface and the cation of the added salt plays an important role in effective pushing of probe inside the hydrophobic micellar nanocage. Vivid steady state and time resolved spectroscopic techniques divulge a notable improvement in the fluorescence yield, fluorescence anisotropy as well as the fluorescence lifetime of the SDS-bound probe in the presence of the added salts. Comparative spectral studies using various cations imply that higher charge density on the cation imparts a greater pushing effect on the cationic drug. The present study displays an encouraging demonstration of salt induced increased solubilization of the cationic drugs in the biomimicking target region, providing a promising strategy to a more effective delivery of ionic therapeutics.