Phthalocyanines (Pcs) are well-established photosensitizers in photodynamic therapy, valued for their strong light absorption, high singlet oxygen generation, and photostability. Recent advances have focused on covalently conjugating Pcs, particularly zinc phthalocyanines (ZnPcs), with a wide range of small bioactive molecules to improve selectivity, efficacy, and multifunctionality. These conjugates combine light-activated reactive oxygen species (ROS) production with targeted delivery and controlled release, offering enhanced treatment precision and reduced off-target toxicity. Chemotherapeutic agent conjugates, including those with erlotinib, doxorubicin, tamoxifen, and camptothecin, demonstrate receptor-mediated uptake, pH-responsive release, and synergistic anticancer effects, even overcoming multidrug resistance. Beyond oncology, ZnPc conjugates with antibiotics, anti-inflammatory drugs, antiparasitics, and antidepressants extend photodynamic therapy’s scope to antimicrobial and site-specific therapies. Targeting moieties such as folic acid, biotin, arginylglycylaspartic acid (RGD) and epidermal growth factor (EGF) peptides, carbohydrates, and amino acids have been employed to exploit overexpressed receptors in tumors, enhancing cellular uptake and tumor accumulation. Fluorescent dye and porphyrinoid conjugates further enrich these systems by enabling imaging-guided therapy, efficient energy transfer, and dual-mode activation through pH or enzyme-sensitive linkers. Despite these promising strategies, key challenges remain, including aggregation-induced quenching, poor aqueous solubility, synthetic complexity, and interference with ROS generation. In this review, the examples of Pc-based conjugates were described with particular interest on the synthetic procedures and optical properties of targeted compounds.

The presented studies aimed to evaluate the peripheral coordinating properties of a novel porphyrinoid family representative preceded by its synthesis for potential sensing purposes. Two synthetic pathways were employed to a obtain maleonitrile derivative, further used as a starting material in the cyclotetramerization reaction. In the first one, DAMN was used in sequential double-reductive alkylation with 2-thiophene-carboxyaldehyde and sodium borohydride. In the second, DAMN was used in a one-pot reaction with 2-thiophene-carboxyaldehyde in the presence of a 5-ethyl-2-methylpyridine borane complex in methanol and acetic acid. Following the Linstead approach, the cyclization reaction led to a novel symmetrical magnesium(II) octaaminoporphyrazine with methyl(2-thiophenylmethylene) substituents. The macrocycle’s electrochemical properties were assessed by cyclic and differential pulse voltammetries revealing one reduction and two oxidation peak potentials. The additional spectroelectrochemical measurements showed formation of a cationic form of the macrocycle at an applied potential of 0.6 V. The coordinating properties due to the palladium ion of novel porphyrazines were measured with the use of titration combined with UV–vis spectrometry. The titration of Pd²⁺ revealed the good sensing activity of porphyrazine in the range of 0.1 to 5 palladium molar equivalents. In addition, Pd²⁺ ions coordination was also assessed by electrochemical studies, indicating the peak potential shift of 0.1 V in the presence of metal cations. DFT calculations showed the good agreement between theoretical and experimental data in the UV–vis and ¹H NMR studies.

Tea is one of the most consumed beverages in the world, belonging to the category of compounds known as tannins and flavonoids. One of the polyphenols found in large amounts in green tea leaves (Camellia sinensis) is epigallocatechin-3-O-gallate (EGCG). Though EGCG has shown some pharmacological effects, to date, it has not been utilised as a therapeutic agent. This is attributed to the fact that EGCG lacks adequate stability, and it is known to degrade through epimerization or auto-oxidation processes, especially when it is exposed to light, temperature fluctuations, some pH values, or the presence of oxygen. Consuming green tea with EGCG can alleviate the effects of bone diseases, such as osteoporosis, and support faster bone regeneration in the case of fractures. Therefore, this review focuses on the current state of research, highlighting the effects of EGCG on bone biology, such as enhancing osteoblast differentiation, promoting bone mineralisation, improving bone microarchitecture, and inhibiting osteoclastogenesis through the modulation of the RANK/RANKL/OPG pathway. Additionally, EGCG exerts antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and dose-dependent effects on bone cells. It also downregulates inflammatory markers (TNF-α, IL-1β, and COX-2) and reduces oxidative stress via the inhibition of reactive oxygen species generation and the activation of protective signalling pathways (e.g., MAPK and NF-κB). Studies in animal models confirm that EGCG supplementation leads to increased bone mass and strength. These findings collectively support the further exploration of EGCG as an adjunct in the treatment and prevention of metabolic bone diseases. The authors aim to present the relationship between EGCG and bone health, highlighting issues for future research and clinical applications.