A CRITICAL STUDY ON THE INTERACTIONS OF HESPERITIN WITH HUMAN HEMOGLOBIN: FLUORESCENCE SPECTROSCOPIC AND MOLECULAR MODELING APPROACH

Hemoglobin targeting potential of aminocarb pesticide: Investigation into dynamics, conformational stability, and energetics in solvent environment

Aminocarb (AMC), a carbamate pesticide, due to its prevalent usage exhibits increased accumulation in the environment affecting both insects and humans. It enters the human body via food grains and be transported through bloodstream. AMC's chemical structure, containing specific molecular frameworks and functional groups, enables it to bind with proteins like albumin and hemoglobin. Given that molecules with similar architecture are known to bind with hemoglobin, we aimed to explore Aminocarb's binding capability and the potential mechanism or mode of its interaction with hemoglobin. Hb being a tetramer with a profound interface between amino acid chains offers multiple binding sites. It is therefore important to investigate the structural aspects of binding of AMC by employing various spectroscopic and in-silico methods. The surface of the α1 chain near the α1β2 interface emerges as the preferred binding site for AMC, primarily due to its conformational restrictions. In its bound state, AMC tends to maintain a relaxed conformation, closely resembling its globally optimized geometry, and resides in close proximity to the α1 chain via multiple hydrophobic contacts and water bridge as observed in molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. Fluorescence quenching experiments showed moderate binding strength (7.7 × 10⁴ L M⁻1 at 288 K, 7.8 × 10⁴ L M⁻1 at 298 K, 7.9 × 10⁴ L M⁻1 at 308 K) and spontaneous binding, driven by hydrophobic and van der Waals interactions, as indicated by enthalpy (0.80-0.91 kJ mol⁻1), entropy (0.0970-0.0974 kJ mol⁻1), and Gibbs free energy (-27.13 to - 29.08 kJ mol⁻1). Circular dichroism experiments reveal no major structural changes in Hb. Quantum chemical calculations and MD simulations reveal conformation-dependent energy differences, enhancing our understanding of AMC's binding mechanism to Hb.

Endoplasmic reticulum stress in pancreatic β-cell dysfunction: The potential therapeutic role of dietary flavonoids

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a global health burden that is characterized by the loss or dysfunction of pancreatic β-cells. In pancreatic β-cells, endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress is a fact of life that contributes to β-cell loss or dysfunction. Despite recent advances in research, the existing treatment approaches such as lifestyle modification and use of conventional therapeutics could not prevent the loss or dysfunction of pancreatic β-cells to abrogate the disease progression. Therefore, targeting ER stress and the consequent unfolded protein response (UPR) in pancreatic β-cells may be a potential therapeutic strategy for diabetes treatment. Dietary phytochemicals have therapeutic applications in human health owing to their broad spectrum of biochemical and pharmacological activities. Flavonoids, which are commonly obtained from fruits and vegetables worldwide, have shown promising prospects in alleviating ER stress. Dietary flavonoids including quercetin, kaempferol, myricetin, isorhamnetin, fisetin, icariin, apigenin, apigetrin, vitexin, baicalein, baicalin, nobiletin hesperidin, naringenin, epigallocatechin 3-O-gallate hesperidin (EGCG), tectorigenin, liquiritigenin, and acacetin have shown inhibitory effects on ER stress in pancreatic β-cells. Dietary flavonoids modulate ER stress signaling components, chaperone proteins, transcription factors, oxidative stress, autophagy, apoptosis, and inflammatory responses to exert their pharmacological effects on pancreatic β-cells ER stress. This review focuses on the role of dietary flavonoids as potential therapeutic adjuvants in preserving pancreatic β-cells from ER stress. Highlights of the underlying mechanisms of action are also presented as well as possible strategies for clinical translation in the management of DM.

Inhibition Effect of Okanin Toward Human Cytochrome P450 3A4 and 2D6 with Multi-spectroscopic Studies and Molecular Docking

Okanin, a major flavonoid of a popular herb tea, Coreopsis tinctoria Nutt., showed strong inhibition on CYP3A4 and CYP2D6. The strong interaction between okanin and CYPs were determined by enzyme kinetics, multispectral technique and molecular docking. The inhibition type of two enzymes, CYP3A4 and CYP2D6, by okanin are mixed and non-competitive inhibition type, respectively. The IC50 values and the binding constant of okanin to CYP3A4 can be deduced that the interaction was stronger than that of CYP2D6. The Conformations of CYP3A4 and CYP2D6 were changed by okanin. The evidence from fluorescence measurement along with molecular docking verified that these two CYPs were bound with okanin by hydrogen bonds and hydrophobic forces. Our investigation suggested that okanin may lead to interactions between herb and drug by inhibiting CYP3A4 and CYP2D6 activities, thus its consumption should be taken with caution.

Food Antioxidants and Their Interaction with Human Proteins

Common to all biological systems and living organisms are molecular interactions, which may lead to specific physiological events. Most often, a cascade of events occurs, establishing an equilibrium between possibly competing and/or synergistic processes. Biochemical pathways that sustain life depend on multiple intrinsic and extrinsic factors contributing to aging and/or diseases. This article deals with food antioxidants and human proteins from the circulation, their interaction, their effect on the structure, properties, and function of antioxidant-bound proteins, and the possible impact of complex formation on antioxidants. An overview of studies examining interactions between individual antioxidant compounds and major blood proteins is presented with findings. Investigating antioxidant/protein interactions at the level of the human organism and determining antioxidant distribution between proteins and involvement in the particular physiological role is a very complex and challenging task. However, by knowing the role of a particular protein in certain pathology or aging, and the effect exerted by a particular antioxidant bound to it, it is possible to recommend specific food intake or resistance to it to improve the condition or slow down the process.

Phenolic compounds from Tradescantia pallida ameliorate diabetes by inhibiting enzymatic and non-enzymatic pathways

Diabetes is a chronic metabolic disorder marked by postprandial hyperglycemia due to several etiologies including abnormal carbohydrate digestion and glycation of hemoglobin. The prolong use of synthetic drugs results in characteristic side effects which necessitates the discovery of safe and cost-effective substitutes. The aim of the current study is to isolate and evaluate the antidiabetic potential of the phenolic compounds from the leaves of Tradescantia pallida. Syringic acid, p-coumaric acid, morin and catechin (compounds 1-4) were isolated and characterized from Tradescantia pallida leaves using column chromatography and spectroscopic techniques. The in vitro antidiabetic potential of the phenolic compounds were assessed using α-amylase and non-enzymatic glycosylation of hemoglobin protein assays. A mechanistic insight of interactions between phenolic compounds and human α-amylase and hemoglobin protein were scrutinized by employing molecular docking method. Prime Molecular Mechanics/Generalized Born Surface Area (MM-GBSA) calculations were carried out to find the binding energies of the ligand-protein complexes. Morin and catechin were further analyzed to find the dynamic and thermodynamic constraints of the complexes under specific biological conditions using molecular dynamic simulation trajectories. The stability and flexibility of the complexes were justified by fluctuation of α-carbon chain, Root Mean Square Deviation (RMSD), Root Mean Square Fluctuation (RMSF) and type of interactions involved which authenticated the in vitro inhibitory potential of morin and catechin against enzymatic and non-enzymatic pathways. The current study could be fruitful in rational designing of safe antidiabetic drugs of natural origin.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.

Inhibitory mechanisms of polyphenols on heme protein-mediated lipid oxidation in muscle food: New insights and advances

Lipid oxidation is a major cause of quality deterioration that decreases the shelf-life of muscle-based foods (red meat, poultry, and fish), in which heme proteins, particularly hemoglobin and myoglobin, are the primary pro-oxidants. Due to increasing consumer concerns over synthetic chemicals, extensive research has been carried out on natural antioxidants, especially plant polyphenols. The conventional opinion suggests that polyphenols inhibit lipid oxidation of muscle foods primarily owing to their strong hydrogen-donating and transition metal-chelating activities. Recent developments in analytical techniques (e.g., protein crystallography, nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, fluorescence anisotropy, and molecular docking simulation) allow deeper understanding of the molecular interaction of polyphenols with heme proteins, phospholipid membrane, reactive oxygen species, and reactive carbonyl species; hence, novel hypotheses regarding their antioxidant mechanisms have been formulated. In this review, we summarize five direct and three indirect pathways by which polyphenols inhibit heme protein-mediated lipid oxidation in muscle foods. We also discuss the relation between chemical structures and functions of polyphenols as antioxidants.

Interactions of potato-derived and human recombinant 5-lipoxygenase with sec-O-glucosylhamaudol by multi-spectroscopy and molecular docking

5-lipoxygenase (5-LOX) was a key enzyme involved in many inflammatory diseases. Sec-O-glucosylhamaudol (SOG) was a chromone found in Saposhnikovia divaricata (Turcz.) Schischk (S. divaricate). The potato-derived 5-LOX (p-5-LOX) and human recombinant 5-LOX (h-5-LOX) were selected as model protein due to their simple usability and high stability in this study. Thus, the binding interactions of p-5-LOX and h-5-LOX with SOG were investigated by multi-spectroscopy and molecular docking. As a result, the fluorescence intensities of the two 5-LOX were quenched statically by SOG. However, the binding ability of SOG to h-5-LOX was higher than that of p-5-LOX at the same temperature. The results of multi-spectroscopy revealed that the conformation and micro-environment of the two 5-LOX proteins were changed after binding with SOG. Fluorescence assay and molecular docking indicated that hydrogen bond and electrostatic gravitation were the main forces between the two 5-LOX and SOG. Our results here suggested that SOG may exert anti-inflammatory effect by inhibiting 5-LOX activity.

Biophysical and molecular modeling evidences for the binding of sulfa molecules with hemoglobin

The molecular mechanism of the heme protein, hemoglobin (Hb) interaction with sulfa molecule, sulfadiazine (SDZ) has been investigated through spectroscopic, neutron scattering and molecular modeling techniques. Absorption and emission spectroscopic studies showed that SDZ molecules were bound to Hb protein, non-cooperatively. The binding affinityof SDZ-Hb complex at standard experimental condition was evaluated to be around (4.2 ± 0.07) ×10⁴, M^-1with 1:1 stoichiometry. Drug induced structural perturbation of the 3 D protein moiety was confirmed through circular dichroism (CD), synchronous fluorescence and small angle neutron scattering methods. From the temperature dependent spectrofluorometric studies, the negative standard molar Gibbs energy change suggested the spontaneity of the reaction. The negative enthalpy and positive entropy change(s) indicated towards the involvement of both electrostatic and hydrophobic forces during the association process. Salt dependent fluorescence study revealed major contributions from non-poly-electrolytic forces. Molecular modeling studies determined the probable binding sites, types of interaction involved and the conformational alteration of the compactness of the Hb structure upon interaction with SDZ molecule. Overall, the study provides detailed insights into the binding mechanism of SDZ antibiotics to Hb protein.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.

Conformational dynamics of myoglobin in the presence of vitamin B12: A spectroscopic and in silico investigation

Myoglobin is an essential transport protein of heart and muscle tissues that acts as a local oxygen reservoir and a marker in different diseased conditions. On the other hand, Vitamin B12 is a vital nutrient that helps synthesize red blood cells, DNA, and proteins. To understand the ability of vitamin B12 to bind to the excess of myoglobin produced in the body under certain conditions (muscle injuries, severe trauma, etc.), it is essential to dig into the interaction between them. Therefore, the present study reports the binding interaction of vitamin B12 and myoglobin employing different spectroscopic and computational methods. The myoglobin's intrinsic fluorescence is quenched by vitamin B12 via static nature as observed from steady-state as well as time-resolved fluorescence measurements. The microenvironment of myoglobin's tryptophan residue gets affected, but there is no change observed in its α-helical content by vitamin B12 as seen from synchronous fluorescence and circular dichroism measurements. The probable binding of vitamin B12 on myoglobin was elucidated through molecular docking, and the interaction stability was studied by molecular dynamics simulation. The determination of vitamin B12's affinity to myoglobin and its effect on the conformational transitions of myoglobin might afford valuable insight for clinical pharmacology.

Biochemical aspects of hemoglobin-xenobiotic interactions and their implications in drug discovery

Hemoglobin, a homodimeric globular protein, is found predominantly in red blood cells and in a small amount in blood plasma. Along with binding to certain native molecules, it also interacts with various xenobiotics. The present review aims at studying these interactions and the resultant tangible impact on the structure and function of the protein if any. The review also encompasses various analytical and computational approaches which are routinely used to study these interactions. A detailed discussion on types of interaction exhibited by individual xenobiotics has been included herein. Additionally, the effects of xenobiotic binding on the oxygen carrying capacity of hemoglobin have been reviewed. These insights would be of great value in drug design and discovery. Envisaging probable interactions of designed ligands with hemoglobin would help improvise the process of drug development. This would also open up new avenues for studying hemoglobin-mediated drug delivery.

Hesperetin as an inhibitor of the snake venom serine protease from Bothrops jararaca

The majority (90%) of the snakebite envenomation in Brazil accounts for Bothrops from the Viperidae family. Some snake venom serine proteases provoke blood coagulation in ophidian accident victims because of their fibrinolytic activity, one of those proteases from Bothrops jararaca (B. jararaca) has been chosen for this study. Our objectives were to isolate and characterize the target serine protease; isolate, purify, and characterize the orange bagasse flavone (hesperetin, Hst), and investigate the interactions between the targets, enzyme, and hesperetin. The purified serine protease was named BjSP24 because of its molecular mass and proteolytic activity. BjSP24 was folded and characterized using circular dichroism and showed low alpha-helix contents (7.7%). BjSP24 exhibited sequence similarity to other known snake venom serine proteases as measured in the enzyme tryptic peptides' LC-MS/MS run. Hesperetin was obtained within the expected yield and with the predominance of 2S isomer (82%). It acted as a mixed inhibitor for the serine protease (SVSP) from Bothrops jararaca snake venom observed in three different in vitro experiments, fluorescence, kinetics, and SSTD-NMR. It is still to determine if hesperetin might aid-in reverting the on site blood clotting problems just after snakebite accidents.

Green extraction techniques from fruit and vegetable waste to obtain bioactive compounds-A review

Food wastes imply significant greenhouse gas emissions, that increase the challenge of climate change and impact food security. According to FAO (2019), one of the main food wastes come from fruit and vegetables, representing 0.5 billion tons per year, of the 1.3 billion tons of total waste. The wastes obtained from fruit and vegetables have plenty of valuable components, known as bioactive compounds, with many properties that impact positively in human health. Some bioactive compounds hold antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer properties and they have the capacity of modulating metabolic processes. Currently, the use of fruit and vegetable waste is studied to obtain bioactive compounds, through non-conventional techniques, also known as green extraction techniques. These extraction techniques report higher yields, reduce the use of solvents, employ less extraction time, and improve the efficiency of the process for obtaining bioactive compounds. Once extracted, these compounds can be used in the cosmetic, pharmaceutical, or food industry, the last one being focused on improving food quality.

Esterase activity and interaction of human hemoglobin with diclofenac sodium: A spectroscopic and molecular docking study

To get an idea about the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics, it is important to study the drug-protein interaction. Therefore, herein, we studied the interaction of diclofenac sodium (DIC) with human hemoglobin. The binding study of nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug, DIC with human hemoglobin (HHB) was done by utilizing fluorescence, UV-visible, time-resolved fluorescence and far-UV circular dichroism spectroscopy (CD). Various thermodynamic parameters such as enthalpy change (ΔH), entropy change (ΔS), and Gibbs free energy change (ΔG) were also calculated. CD results showed that DIC induces secondary structure change in HHB. Fluorescence resonance energy transfer was also performed. Additionally, it was also observed that DIC inhibits the esterase-like enzymatic activity of HHB via competitive inhibition.

Probing hemoglobin glyco-products by fluorescence spectroscopy

Fluorescence mapping of hemoglobin AGE formation after hemoglobin modification by Maillard reaction products.

Interaction of promethazine and adiphenine to human hemoglobin: A comparative spectroscopic and computational analysis

The binding nature of amphiphilic drugs viz. promethazine hydrochloride (PMT) and adiphenine hydrochloride (ADP), with human hemoglobin (Hb) was unraveled by fluorescence, absorbance, time resolved fluorescence, fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) and circular dichroism (CD) spectral techniques in combination with molecular docking and molecular dynamic simulation methods. The steady state fluorescence spectra indicated that both PMT and ADP quenches the fluorescence of Hb through static quenching mechanism which was further confirmed by time resolved fluorescence spectra. The UV-Vis spectroscopy suggested ground state complex formation. The activation energy (E_a) was observed more in the case of Hb-ADP than Hb-PMT interaction system. The FRET result indicates the high probability of energy transfer from β Trp37 residue of Hb to the PMT (r=2.02nm) and ADP (r=2.33nm). The thermodynamic data reveal that binding of PMT with Hb are exothermic in nature involving hydrogen bonding and van der Waal interaction whereas in the case of ADP hydrophobic forces play the major role and binding process is endothermic in nature. The CD results show that both PMT and ADP, induced secondary structural changes of Hb and unfold the protein by losing a large helical content while the effect is more pronounced with ADP. Additionally, we also utilized computational approaches for deep insight into the binding of these drugs with Hb and the results are well matched with our experimental results.

Use of multiresponse statistical techniques to optimize the separation of diosmin, hesperidin, diosmetin and hesperitin in different pharmaceutical preparations by high performance liquid chromatography with UV-DAD

A new method for the separation and determination of four flavonoids: hesperidin (HES), diosmin (DIO), hesperitin (HTIN), and diosmetin (DTIN) in pure form and pharmaceutical formulations has been developed by using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with UV-DAD detection. Multivariate statistics (2^k full factorial and Box Behnken Designs) has been used for the multiresponse optimization of the chromatographic separation, which was completed in 22min, and carried out on a symmetry® C18 column (250×3mm; 5µm) as stationary phase. Separation was conducted by gradient elution mode using a mixture of methanol, acetonitrile and water pH: 2.5 (CH₃COOH), as mobile phase. Analytes were separated setting the column at 22°C, with a flow rate of 0.58mLmin^-1 and detected at 285nm. Under the optimized conditions, the flavonoids showed retention times of: 8.62, 11.53, 18.55 and 19.94min for HES, DIO, HTIN and DTIN, respectively. Limits of detection and quantification were <0.0156µgmL^-1 and <0.100µgmL^-1, respectively. Linearity was achieved with good correlation coefficients values (r²=0.999; n=5). Intra-day and inter-day precision were found to be less than 3.44% (n=7). Finally, the proposed method was successfully applied to determine the target flavonoids in pharmaceutical preparations with satisfactory recoveries (between 95.2% and 107.9%), demonstrating that should also find application in the quality control, as well as in the pharmacokinetic studies of these drugs.

Hydrogen bonding-assisted interaction between amitriptyline hydrochloride and hemoglobin: spectroscopic and molecular dynamics studies

Herein, we have explored the interaction between amitriptyline hydrochloride (AMT) and hemoglobin (Hb), using steady-state and time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopy, UV-visible spectroscopy, and circular dichroism spectroscopy, in combination with molecular docking and molecular dynamic (MD) simulation methods. The steady-state fluorescence reveals the static quenching mechanism in the interaction system, which was further confirmed by UV-visible and time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopy. The binding constant, number of binding sites, and thermodynamic parameters viz. ΔG, ΔH, ΔS are also considered; result confirms that the binding of the AMT with Hb is a spontaneous process, involving hydrogen bonding and van der Waals interactions with a single binding site, as also confirmed by molecular docking study. Synchronous fluorescence, CD data, and MD simulation results contribute toward understanding the effect of AMT on Hb to interpret the conformational change in Hb upon binding in aqueous solution.

Exploring the binding mechanism of 5-hydroxy-3',4',7-trimethoxyflavone with bovine serum albumin: Spectroscopic and computational approach

The current study was carried out to investigate the binding mechanism of a potential flavonoid compound 5-hydroxy-3',4',7-trimethoxyflavone (HTMF) with bovine serum albumin (BSA) using ultraviolet-visible, fluorescence, circular dichroism (CD) spectral measurements along with molecular docking and molecular dynamics (MD) simulation. It was confirmed from fluorescence spectra that the intrinsic fluorescence of BSA was robustly quenched by HTMF through a static quenching mechanism. The number of binding sites (n) for HTMF binding on BSA was found to be about one. The thermodynamic parameters estimated from the van't Hoff plot specified that hydrophobic force was the predominant force in the HTMF-BSA complex and there also exist hydrogen bonds and electrostatic interactions. The effect of HTMF on the BSA conformation examined using CD studies revealed that there is a decrease in the helical content of BSA upon HTMF interaction. The results of molecular docking study shed light on the binding mode which exposed that HTMF bind within the hydrophobic pocket of the subdomain IIIA of BSA. The stability of HTMF-BSA complex with respect to free protein was analyzed from the molecular dynamic studies. The electronic structure analysis of HTMF was achieved by using density functional theory (DFT) calculations at B3LYP/6-31G** level to support its antioxidant role. The results of computational analysis are in good consistence with the experimental data and the present findings suggested that HTMF exhibits a good binding propensity to BSA protein which will be helpful for the drug design.

Comparison of α-glucosyl hesperidin of citrus fruits and epigallocatechin gallate of green tea on the Loss of Rotavirus Infectivity in Cell Culture

A number of secondary plant metabolites (e.g., flavonoids) possess antiviral/antimicrobial activity. Most flavonoids, however, are difficult to study, as they are immiscible in water-based systems. The relatively new semisynthetic α-glucosyl hesperitin (GH), and the natural plant product epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) are unique among most flavonoids, as these flavonoids are highly soluble. The antiviral activity of these plant metabolites were investigated using the rotavirus as a model enteric virus system. Direct loss of virus structural integrity in cell-free suspension and titration of amplified RTV in host cell cultures was measured by a quantitative enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (qEIA). After 30 min. 100 × 10(3) μg/ml GH reduced RTV antigen levels by ca. 90%. The same compound reduced infectivity (replication in cell culture) by a similar order of magnitude 3 to 4 days post inoculation. After 3 days in culture, EGCG concentrations of 80, 160, and 320 μg/ml reduced RTV infectivity titer levels to ca. 50, 20, and 15% of the control, respectively. Loss of RTV infectivity titers occurred following viral treatment by parallel testing of both GH and EGCG, with the latter, markedly more effective. Cytotoxicity testing showed no adverse effects by the phenolic concentrations used in this study. The unique chemical structure of each flavonoid rather than each phenolic's inherent solubility may be ascribed to those marked differences between each molecule's antiviral (anti-RTV) effects. The solubility of EGCG and GH obviated our need to use potentially confounding or obfuscating carrier molecules (e.g., methanol, ethanol, DMSO) denoting our use of a pure system environ. Our work further denotes the need to address the unique chemical nature of secondary plant metabolites before any broad generalizations in flavonoid (antiviral) activity may be proposed.

Investigation of the interaction between five alkaloids and human hemoglobin by fluorescence spectroscopy and molecular modeling

This work studied the interaction of human hemoglobin (HHb) with aminophylline, acefylline, caffeine, theophylline and diprophylline systematically by UV-vis absorption spectroscopy and fluorescence spectroscopy in combination with molecular modeling. Five alkaloids caused the fluorescence quenching of HHb by the formation of alkaloids-HHb complex. The binding constants and thermodynamic parameters were obtained. The hydrophobic and electrostatic interactions were the predominant intermolecular forces to stabilize these complexes. Results of thermodynamic analysis and molecular modeling showed that aminophylline was the strongest quencher and diprophylline was the weakest quencher.

Targeting the heme proteins hemoglobin and myoglobin by janus green blue and study of the dye–protein association by spectroscopy and calorimetry

The binding of the phenazinium dye janus green blue (JGB) to two heme proteins, hemoglobin (Hb) and myoglobin (Mb), was studied by biophysical and microcalorimetry techniques.