SEPARATION AND PHOTOTOXICITYIN VITROOF SOME OF THE COMPONENTS OF HAEMATOPORPHYRIN DERIVATIVE

Abstract
Abstract—The separation and fractionation of some of the components of haematoporphyrin derivative by chemical extraction, gel chromatography and membrane filtration are described. The composition of the various fractions and the purity of the individual porphyrins can be assessed by high performance liquid chromatography. Porphyrins containing vinyl side chains show an unusual ability to form relatively stable aggregates of apparently high molecular weight. The effect is most pronounced with protoporphyrin and is not observed with haematoporphyrin which has no vinyl side chains. These aggregates can be separated by gel chromatography or membrane filtration from non (or less) aggregated material. The aggregates show greaterin vitrocytotoxicity than the other fractions.