Photochromic compounds have attracted much attention for their potential applications in photo-actuators, optoelectronic devices and optical recording techniques. This interest is driven by their key photochemical and photophysical properties, which can be reversibly modulated by light irradiation. Among them, diarylethene compounds have garnered extensive investigation due to their excellent thermal stability of both open- and closed-form isomers, robust fatigue resistance, high photocyclization quantum yield and good photochromic performance in both solution and solid phases. However, a notable limitation in expanding the utility of diarylethene compounds is the necessity for ultraviolet light to induce their photochromism. This requirement poses challenges, as ultraviolet light can be detrimental to biological tissues, and its penetration is often restricted in various media. This review provides an overview of design strategies employed in the development of visible-light-responsive diarylethene compounds. These design strategies serve as a guideline for molecular design, with the potential to significantly broaden the applications of all-visible-light-activated diarylethene compounds in the realms of materials science and biomedical science.

A Ag@AuNP-functionalized capillary-based surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) sensing platform for the interference-free detection of glucose using SERS tags with a built-in nitrile signal has been proposed in this work. Capillary-based SERS capture substrates were prepared by connecting 4-mercaptophenylboronic acid (MBA) to the surface of the Ag@AuNP layer anchored on the inner wall of the capillaries. The SERS tags with a built-in interference-free signal could then be fixed onto the Ag@AuNP layer of the capillary-based capture substrate based on the distinguished feature of glucose, which can form a bidentate glucose–boronic complex. Thus, many “hot spots” were formed, which produced an improved SERS signal. The quantitative analysis of glucose levels was realized using the interference-free SERS intensity of nitrile at 2222 cm⁻¹, with a detection limit of about 0.059 mM. Additionally, the capillary-based disposable SERS sensing platform was successfully employed to detect glucose in artificial urine, and the new strategy has great potential to be further applied in the diagnosis and control of diabetes.

Purpose: The global incidence and mortality rates associated with cancer are increasing annually, presenting significant challenges in oncology, particularly regarding the efficacy and toxicity of antineoplastic agents. Additionally, mitochondria are recognized for their multifaceted roles in the progression of malignant tumors. Mitochondrial-targeting drugs offer promising avenues for cancer therapy. This study focuses on the synthesis of a mitochondrial fluorescent probe, designated Mitochondrial Probe Molecule-1 (MPM-1), and evaluates its anti-tumor effects on colon cancer (CRC) and lung cancer (LUNG) both in vitro and in vivo.Methods: Mito Tracker Green FM staining was performed to investigate the subcellular location of MPM-1. Cell cycle assay, colony formation, EdU, assay of cell apoptosis, wound healing assay, and trans-well migration assay were utilized to confirm anticancer properties of MPM-1 in vitro. Using a xenograft mouse model, the effects of MPM-1 in tumor treatment were also identified. RNA-seq and Western blot were performed to examine the underlying mechanism of MPM-1.Results: The findings indicate that MPM-1 selectively targets mitochondria and exerts inhibitory effects on CRC and LUNG cells. Specifically, MPM-1 significantly reduced the proliferation and migration of lung cancer cell lines A549 and H1299, as well as colon cancer cell lines SW480 and LOVO, with IC50 values of 4.900, 7.376, 8.677, and 7.720 µM, respectively, while also promoting apoptosis. RNA-seq analysis revealed that MPM-1 exerts its broad-spectrum anticancer effects through interactions with multiple signaling pathways, including mTOR, Wnt, Hippo, PI3K/Akt, and MAPK pathways. Additionally, in vivo studies demonstrated that MPM-1 effectively inhibited tumor progression.Conclusion: In summary, MPM-1 demonstrates the ability to inhibit the growth of CRC and LUNG by targeting mitochondria and modulating several signaling pathways that attenuate tumor cell migration and proliferation while promoting apoptosis. This research underscores the potential of MPM-1 as a tumor suppressor and lays a robust foundation for the future development of innovative anticancer therapies that target mitochondrial functions.