Abstract
The sensitive and selective fluorescence probe for hydroxyl radical analysis is of significance because hydroxyl radical plays key roles in many physiological and pathological processes. In this work, a novel organic fluorescence molecular probe OHP for hydroxyl radical is synthesized by a two-step route. The probe employs 4-bora-3a,4a-diaza-s-indacene (difluoroboron dipyrromethene, BODIPY) as the fluorophore and possesses relatively high fluorescence quantum yields (77.14%). Hydroxyl radical can rapidly react with the probe and quench the fluorescence in a good linear relationship (R2=0.9967). The limit of detection is determined to be as low as 11nM. In addition, it has been demonstrated that the probe has a good stability against pH and light illumination, low cytotoxicity and high biocompatibility. Cell culture experimental results show that the probe OHP is sensitive and selective for imaging and tracking endogenous hydroxyl radical in live cells.
A novel BODIPY based fluorescent probe was synthesized and characterized for sensitive and selective detection of endogenous hydroxyl radical in live cells. [Display omitted]
•The highly bright BODIPY based fluorescent probe was synthesized and purified by crystallization.•The fluorescence probe shows high sensitivity and selectivity for hydroxyl radical detection.•Hydroxyl radical can be quantitatively determined based on simple calibration.•The fluorescence probe exhibits low cytotoxicity, good cell permeability and high biocompatibility.•Endogenous hydroxyl radical in live cell can be determined using the fluorescence probe.