Stimuli-responsive benzothiazole-phenothiazine derivatives: mechanochromism, AIE, acid sensing, and anticancer efficacy in benzo[ a ]pyrene-induced cancer models

]P)-induced carcinogenesis in A549 (lung) and HEK293 (kidney) cells. Treatment with BT-PTZ-2 reflects anti-cancerous properties, with significant up-regulation of p53 and down-regulation of β-catenin and pNF-κB. Additionally, downregulation of mitochondrial fission protein (DRP1) and oxidative stress through DCFDA staining in lung cells are observed with BT-PTZ-2 treatment. These findings strongly suggest that BT-PTZ-2 can inhibit lung cancer cell proliferation and survival, suggesting it to be a promising anti-cancer agent. This comprehensive study of these MFC materials provides insights into their design, synthesis, and properties, in addition to their potential applications in various optoelectronic and biomedical fields.