A Fluorescent Probe Derived From Methoxy-Modified Imidazo-Pyridin for Monitoring Sulfite in Chinese Medicinal Materials

Abstract

In this work, a methoxy-modified imidazo-pyridin–derived fluorescent probe IPOMe-SF was developed for monitoring sulfite in Chinese medicinal materials, and the imaging in living colorectal cells was conducted. Under the excitation of 355 nm, the response system with IPOMe-SF exhibited the concentration-dependent fluorescence enhancement at 490 nm along with the increase of the sulfite level. The response system suggested advantages including a relatively high sensitivity, high stability, rapid response, high selectivity, and low cytotoxicity. The particular privileges associated with the Chinese medicinal materials included the long linear response range and reliable anti-interference. IPOMe-SF inferred reliable steadiness for monitoring the sulfite level in the water decoction samples covered the “Zhebawei” herbal series. Further, the imaging system with IPOMe-SF realized the monitoring of both the exogenous and endogenous sulfite level, as well as the water decoction-treated status in colorectal cells. This work was meaningful for studying Chinese medicinal materials.