Activatable Dual-Optical Molecular Probe for Bioimaging Superoxide Anion in Epilepsy

Superoxide anion (O 2 •– ) plays a pivotal role in the generation of other reactive oxygen species within the body and is closely linked to epilepsy. Despite this connection, achieving precise imaging of O 2 •– during epilepsy pathology remains a formidable challenge. Herein, we develop an activatable molecular probe, CL-SA , to track the fluctuation of the level of O 2 •– in epilepsy through simultaneous fluorescence imaging and chemiluminescence sensing. The developed probe CL-SA demonstrated its efficacy in imaging of O 2 •– in neuronal cells, showcasing its dual optical imaging capability for O 2 •– in vitro. Furthermore, CL-SA was successfully used to observe aberrantly expressed O 2 •– in a mouse model of epilepsy. Overall, CL-SA provides us with a valuable tool for chemical and biomedical studies of O 2 •– , promoting the investigation of O 2 •– fluctuations in epilepsy, as well as providing a reliable means to explore the diagnosis and therapy of epilepsy.