Antioxidant flavonoids bind human serum albumin

Metal-free production of natural blue colorants through anthocyanin-protein interactions

INTRODUCTION

The scarcity of naturally available sources for blue colorants has driven reliance on synthetic alternatives. Nevertheless, growing health concerns have prompted the development of naturally derived blue colorants, which remains challenging with limited success thus far. Anthocyanins (ACNs) are known for providing blue colors in plants, and metal complexation with acylated ACNs remains the primary strategy to generate stable blue hues. However, this approach can be costly and raise concerns regarding potential metal consumption risks.

OBJECTIVES

Our study aims to introduce a metal-free approach to achieve blue coloration in commonly distributed non-acylated 3-glucoside ACNs by exploring their interactions with proteins and unveiling the underlying mechanisms.

METHODS

Using human serum albumin (HSA) as a model protein, we investigated the structural influences of ACNs on their blue color generation using visible absorption spectroscopy, fluorescence quenching, and molecular simulations. Additionally, we examined the bluing effects of six proteins derived from milk and egg and identified the remarkable roles of bovine serum albumin (BSA) and lysozyme (LYS).

RESULTS

Our findings highlighted the importance of two or more hydroxyl or methoxyl substituents in the B-ring of ACNs for generating blue colors. Cyanidin-, delphinidin- and petunidin-3-glucoside, featuring two neighboring hydroxyl groups in the B-ring, exhibited blue coloration when interacting with HSA or LYS, driven primarily by favorable enthalpy changes. In contrast, malvidin-3-glucoside, with two methoxyl substituents, achieved blue coloration through interactions with HSA or BSA, where entropy change played significant roles.

CONCLUSION

Our work, for the first time, demonstrates the remarkable capability of widely distributed 3-glucoside ACNs to generate diverse blue shades through interactions with certain proteins. This offers a promising and straightforward strategy for the production of ACN-based blue colorants, stimulating further research in this field.

Investigation of hexacyanoferrate(II)/(III) charge-dependent interactions with bovine and human serum albumins

In the present paper, the binding interactions of highly negative-charged ions, namely hexacyanoferrates(II/III), i.e. [Fe(CN)₆]^4- and [Fe(CN)₆]^3- with bovine and human serum albumins (BSA and HSA, respectively) have been studied for the first time in an aqueous solution (10 mM cacodylate buffer of pH 7.0) using steady-state fluorescence spectroscopy, isothermal titration calorimetry, and CD spectroscopy supported by molecular dynamics-based computational approaches. The Stern-Volmer equation as well as its modifications suggested that hexacyanoferrates(II/III) effectively quenched the intrinsic fluorescence of the albumins through a static mechanism. The proteins under study possess only one binding site on the surface capable of binding one mole of hexacyanoferrates(II/III) ions per one mole of albumin (HSA or BSA). The formation of albumin complexes is an enthalpy-driven process (|ΔH_ITC| > |TΔS_ITC|). The strength of the interactions depends mainly on the type of albumin, and changes as follows: BSA-K₃[Fe(CN)₆] ∼ BSA-K₄[Fe(CN)₆] > HSA-K₃[Fe(CN)₆] ∼ HSA-K₄[Fe(CN)₆]. Finally, potential binding sites of bovine and human serum albumins have been investigated and discussed based on a competitive fluorescence displacement assay (with warfarin and ibuprofen as site markers) and molecular dynamics simulations.

In vitro Evaluation of Isoniazid Derivatives as Potential Agents Against Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis

The upsurge of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis has toughened the challenge to put an end to this epidemic by 2030. In 2020 the number of deaths attributed to tuberculosis increased as compared to 2019 and newly identified multidrug-resistant tuberculosis cases have been stably close to 3%. Such a context stimulated the search for new and more efficient antitubercular compounds, which culminated in the QSAR-oriented design and synthesis of a series of isoniazid derivatives active against Mycobacterium tuberculosis. From these, some prospective isonicotinoyl hydrazones and isonicotinoyl hydrazides are studied in this work. To evaluate if the chemical derivatizations are generating compounds with a good performance concerning several in vitro assays, their cytotoxicity against human liver HepG2 cells was determined and their ability to bind human serum albumin was thoroughly investigated. For the two new derivatives presented in this study, we also determined their lipophilicity and activity against both the wild type and an isoniazid-resistant strain of Mycobacterium tuberculosis carrying the most prevalent mutation on the katG gene, S315T. All compounds were less cytotoxic than many drugs in clinical use with IC50 values after a 72 h challenge always higher than 25 µM. Additionally, all isoniazid derivatives studied exhibited stronger binding to human serum albumin than isoniazid itself, with dissociation constants in the order of 10−4–10−5 M as opposed to 10−3 M, respectively. This suggests that their transport and half-life in the blood stream are likely improved when compared to the parent compound. Furthermore, our results are a strong indication that the N′ = C bond of the hydrazone derivatives of INH tested is essential for their enhanced activity against the mutant strain of M. tuberculosis in comparison to both their reduced counterparts and INH.

Biological Activity of Extracts of Red and Yellow Fruits of Cornus mas L.-An In Vitro Evaluation of Antioxidant Activity, Inhibitory Activity against α-Glucosidase, Acetylcholinesterase, and Binding Capacity to Human Serum Albumin

Although extracts are broadly used in order to support the treatment of numerous diseases, only in a limited number of cases is the process of applying and establishing their mechanisms of action scientifically analyzed. Fruits of Cornelian cherry are an abundant source of iridoids, anthocyanins, flavonols and phenolic acids. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the in vitro bioactivity of red and yellow Cornelian cherry fruits’ extracts. The biological potential of extracts, in a broad sense, involved antioxidant activity in relation to phosphatidylcholine liposomes, inhibitory ability against α-glucosidase and acetylcholinesterase enzymes, as well as interactions with human serum albumin. Studies showed that both extracts were more effective in protecting liposome membranes against free radicals produced by AAPH in an aqueous environment due to the fact that they can be better eliminated by the hydrophilic components of the extracts than those produced by UVB radiation. Extracts exhibited inhibitory activity against acetylcholinesterase and α-glucosidase, wherein loganic acid extract showed noncompetitive inhibition of the enzyme. Moreover, extracts binded to albumin mainly through hydrogen bonds and van der Waals forces. Taken together, red and yellow cherry fruits’ extracts exhibit diverse biological properties and can be exploited as a source of natural therapeutic agents.

Natural and Synthetic Flavylium-Based Dyes: The Chemistry Behind the Color

Flavylium compounds are a well-known family of pigments because they are prevalent in the plant kingdom, contributing to colors over a wide range from shades of yellow-red to blue in fruits, flowers, leaves, and other plant parts. Flavylium compounds include a large variety of natural compound classes, namely, anthocyanins, 3-deoxyanthocyanidins, auronidins, and their respective aglycones as well as anthocyanin-derived pigments (e.g., pyranoanthocyanins, anthocyanin-flavan-3-ol dimers). During the past few decades, there has been increasing interest among chemists in synthesizing different flavylium compounds that mimic natural structures but with different substitution patterns that present a variety of spectroscopic characteristics in view of their applications in different industrial fields. This Review provides an overview of the chemistry of flavylium-based compounds, in particular, the synthetic and enzymatic approaches and mechanisms reported in the literature for obtaining different classes of pigments, their physical-chemical properties in relation to their pH-dependent equilibria network, and their chemical and enzymatic degradation. The development of flavylium-based systems is also described throughout this Review for emergent applications to explore some of the physical-chemical properties of the multistate of species generated by these compounds.

Interaction of 4'-methylflavonoids with biological membranes, liposomes, and human albumin

The aim of the study was to compare the impact of three synthesized chemical compounds from a group of methylated flavonoids, i.e. 2'-hydroxy-4-methylchalcone (3), 4'-methylflavanone (4), and 4'-methylflavone (5), on a red blood cell membranes (RBCMs), phosphatidylcholine model membranes (PC), and human serum albumin (HSA) in order to investigate their structure-activity relationships. In the first stage of the study, it was proved that all of the compounds tested do not cause hemolysis of red blood cells and, therefore, do not have a toxic effect. In biophysical studies, it was shown that flavonoids have an impact on the hydrophilic and hydrophobic regions of membranes (both RBCMs and PC) causing an increase in packing order of lipid heads and a decrease in fluidity, respectively. Whereas, on the one hand, the magnitude of these changes depends on the type of the compound tested, on the other hand, it also depends on the type of membrane. 4'-Methylflavanone and 4'-methylflavone are located mainly in the hydrophilic part of lipid membranes, while 2'-hydroxy-4-methylchalcone has a greater impact on the hydrophobic area. A fluorescence quenching study proved that compounds (3), (4) and (5) bind with HSA in a process of static quenching. The binding process is spontaneous whereas hydrogen bonding interactions and van der Waals forces play a major role in the interaction between the compounds and HSA.

Synthesis and Characterization of Cobalt(II) and Manganese(II) Schiff Base Complexes: Metal Effect on the Binding Affinity with β-Casein

In this study, two metal Schiff base complexes (cobalt(II) and manganese(II), were synthesized and characterized by ¹H-NMR and FT-IR analyses. The in vitro binding behavior of this complexes with β-Casein (β-CN) was investigated by using biophysical techniques. For evaluation the thermodynamics parameters of interaction between Schiff base complexes and β-CN,the fluorescence data at different temperatures were done. The results showed that the intrinsic fluorescence of the β-CN was quenched by increasing the complexes through the dynamic quenching mechanism. Also, these complexes demonstrated a considrable binding affinity to β-CN and the process is mainly entropy driven. Fluorescence resonance energy transfer was used in order to estimating the distance between donor (β-CN) and acceptor (complex). Results demonstrated that the sequence of tendency of the complexes to β-CN was as follows: Mn-Schiff base complex > Co-Schiff base complex. All these experimental results propose that β-CN might act as carrier protein for Co(II) and Mn (II) complexes to deliver it to the target molecules.

Plasma Protein Binding of Herbal-Flavonoids to Human Serum Albumin and Their Anti-proliferative Activities

Herbal-flavonoids (HF) as polyphenolic secondary metabolites are taken in the daily diet to join in many metabolic processes in the human organism. Anti-proliferative activities and human serum albumin (HSA) binding capacities of herbal-flavonoids namely 7,5'-dimethoxyisoetin (HF1), homoorientin-6''-4-O-methyl-myo-inositol (HF2), (2R, 3R)-(+)-dihydrokaempferol-7,4'-dimethylether (HF3), eriodictyol-7,4'-dimethylether (HF4) and flavonoids isoorientin (HF5) and genkwanin (HF6) were investigated. Anti-proliferative activities were determined by the xCELLigence system by treatment with human prostate (PC3) and cervical cancer (HeLa) cells. The binding capacities were studied by two-dimensional (2D-FL) and three-dimensional (3D-FL) fluorescence spectroscopy. HeLa and PC3 cell lines were treated with flavonoids at 10, 50 and 100 μg/mL concentrations over a 48 hour period. Stable anti-proliferative efficacy plots were obtained for tested flavonoids. From the flavonoids, HF3 and HF4 showed the strongest anti-proliferative effect against PC3 and HeLa cell line. HF1 and HF2 exhibited the strongest binding capacity to the HSA corresponding to Kb values of 3.81 x 104 M-1 and 6.00 x 104 M-1, respectively. The studies revealed that the flavonoids form the basis of in vivo preclinical studies as important nutraceuticals of the daily diet, as well as modelled in medical and pharmacological applications.

Non-enzymatic glycation of human serum albumin modulates its binding efficacy towards bioactive flavonoid chrysin: A detailed study using multi-spectroscopic and computational methods

The non-enzymatic glycation of plasma proteins by reducing sugars have important consequences on the conformational and functional properties of protein. The formation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) is responsible for cell death and other pathological conditions. We have synthesized the glycated human serum albumin (gHSA) and characterized the same by using differential spectroscopic measurements. The aim of the present study is to determine the effect of glycation on the binding of human serum albumin (HSA) with bioactive flavonoid chrysin, which possesses anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant activities. The interaction of chrysin with HSA and gHSA was studied using multi-spectroscopic, molecular docking and molecular dynamics (MD) simulation techniques. Chrysin quenched the intrinsic fluorescence of both HSA and gHSA by static quenching mechanism. The value of the binding constant (K_b) for the interaction of HSA-chrysin complex (4.779 ± 0.623 × 10⁵ M^-1 at 300 K) was found to be higher than that of gHSA-chrysin complex (2.206 ± 0.234 × 10⁵ M^-1 at 300 K). Hence, non-enzymatic glycation of HSA significantly reduced its binding affinity towards chrysin. The % α-helicity of HSA was found to get enhanced upon binding with chrysin, and minimal changes were observed for the gHSA-chrysin complex. Site marker probe studies indicated that chrysin binds to subdomain IIA and IIIA of both HSA and gHSA. The results from molecular docking and MD simulation studies correlated well with the experimental findings. Electrostatic interactions followed by hydrogen bonding and hydrophobic interactions played major roles in the binding process. These observations may have some useful insights into the field of pharmaceutics.

Study on the Interactions Between Caffeoylquinic Acids With Bovine Serum Albumin: Spectroscopy, Antioxidant Activity, LC-MSn, and Molecular Docking Approach

Clarified the binding mechanism of drugs with plasma proteins could provide fresh insights into the drug development. Caffeoylquinic acids (CQAs) are a kind of phenolic acid compounds which has extensive biological effects. This study investigated the binding mechanism of three CQAs, including chlorogenic acid, neochlorogenic acid, and cryptochlorogenic acid, with bovine serum albumin (BSA) by using multi-spectroscopic techniques, including fluorescence, UV-Vis, Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) and circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy, LC-MSⁿ, molecular docking and antioxidant activity assessment. In addition, the influences of PBS buffer, Tris-HCl buffer and water as solvents on the characteristics of CQAs and BSA interaction were also investigated. The results showed that intrinsic fluorescence of BSA was quenched by CQAs and the interaction was static quenching with the formation of a non-fluorescent complex. The binding of CQAs and BSA was spontaneous, and Van der Waals forces and hydrogen-bond interaction occupied crucial roles in the binding. All the three CQAs could bind to Site I in Domain IIA. The weakest interaction between neochlorogenic acid and BSA may due to its larger polarity. The results also indicated that the binding affinity of CQAs had a descending order of Tris-HCl > H₂O > PBS. This study firstly clarified the binding mechanism of CQAs with BSA and changes of the binding in different solvents, and provided fresh insights into this drug transportation and metabolism.

Biophysical interactions, docking studies and cytotoxic potential of a novel propofol-linolenate: a multi-technique approach

In the present study, we have analyzed the biophysical interactions of alpha-linolenic acid conjugate (2,6P-ALA) with human serum albumin (HSA) and calf thymus DNA (CT-DNA); and also determined its effect on human cancer cell lines. The results of interactions between 2,6P-ALA and HSA intrinsic fluorescence indicated static quenching of HSA by the target conjugate with overall Stern-Volmer quenching constant (K_sv) value of 1.8 × 10³ M^-1. At high concentrations, 2,6P-ALA caused conformational variations in HSA with evident increase in α-helices. Docking studies also revealed preferential binding of 2,6P-ALA at the hydrophobic cavity of site IB with suggestive involvement of hydrophobic forces. Likewise, the conjugate was also able to quench the fluorescence intensity of CT-DNA with static type of quenching signifying the probability of interaction between them. In case of competitive interaction with ethidium bromide (EB) bound CT-DNA also; the conjugate replaced the EB depicting intercalation to be the main type of binding force. Results of cytotoxic effect of 2,6P-ALA showed significant inhibition of cancer cells growth in a concentration-dependent manner. Conjugate was most potent on MCF-7 cells. Fluorescence microscopic image of MCF-7 cells at IC₅₀ concentration of 24 µM revealed distinct morphological changes that were characteristic of programed cell death. Overall, these results complement with the previous findings of 2,6P-ALA and provide added statistics about the prospect of their transport in blood plasma.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.

Calorimetric and spectroscopic detection of the interaction between a diazo dye and human serum albumin

Dye effluents are one of the main causes of water pollution. Azo dyes, the most widely applied colorants, are particularly difficult to degrade. Exposure of such dyes to the aquatic environment is hazardous to human health and biota due to their intrinsic harmful mutagenic and carcinogenic properties. Congo Red (CR) is an anionic and synthetic diazo dye, which is recalcitrant to the biodegradative process and metabolizes to produce a potential carcinogen. Research on the interaction of this toxic dye with serum albumin, as a transport protein, is of paramount significance because the physiological and toxicological behaviours of the dye in vivo are associated with its interactive characteristics with the proteins. In this regard, a detailed binding profile of CR with human serum albumin (HSA) was studied using isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) along with various spectroscopic and microscopic methods. The thermodynamic results from ITC indicated that the CR-HSA non-covalent interaction occured primarily due to favorable entropy and unfavorable enthalpy with a Ka of 106 M-1 at lower concentrations and 105 M-1 at higher concentrations. Steady-state fluorescence data revealed that the intrinsic fluorescence of HSA was quenched in the presence of CR via the static quenching mechanism. Using Förster's non-radioactive energy transfer theory (FRET), the specific binding distance r (2.73 nm) between the donor (Trp-214 from HSA) and the acceptor (CR) was calculated. Our preliminary results indicated that CR had a high affinity to HSA, which can have significant implications in the distribution and elimination of this toxic dye upon exposure.

A flavonoid-based fluorescent probe enables the accurate quantification of human serum albumin by minimizing the interference from blood lipids

We herein provide a simple design strategy to improve the sensing specificity towards human serum albumin by incorporating a nitrobenzene quencher into a traditional polarity-sensitive probe in responding to the interference from blood lipids.

Study on the interaction between active components from traditional Chinese medicine and plasma proteins

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), as a unique form of natural medicine, has been used in Chinese traditional therapeutic systems over two thousand years. Active components in Chinese herbal medicine are the material basis for the prevention and treatment of diseases. Research on drug-protein binding is one of the important contents in the study of early stage clinical pharmacokinetics of drugs. Plasma protein binding study has far-reaching influence on the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of drugs and helps to understand the basic rule of drug effects. It is important to study the binding characteristics of the active components in Chinese herbal medicine with plasma proteins for the medical science and modernization of TCM. This review summarizes the common analytical methods which are used to study the active herbal components-protein binding and gives the examples to illustrate their application. Rules and influence factors of the binding between different types of active herbal components and plasma proteins are summarized in the end. Finally, a suggestion on choosing the suitable technique for different types of active herbal components is provided, and the prospect of the drug-protein binding used in the area of TCM research is also discussed.

Interaction of flavonols with human serum albumin: a biophysical study showing structure-activity relationship and enhancement when coated on silver nanoparticles

Binding affinities of flavonols namely quercetin, myricetin, and kaempferol to human serum albumin (HSA) were determined fluorimetrically and the order was observed to be myricetin > quercetin > kaempferol demonstrating structure-activity relationship. Quercetin-coated silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) show higher binding affinity to HSA compared to free quercetin with binding constants 6.04 × 10⁷ M^-1 and 4.2 × 10⁶ M^-1, respectively. Using site-specific markers it is concluded that free quercetin and that coated on AgNPs bind at different sites. Significant structural changes in circular dichroism (CD) spectra of HSA were recorded with quercetin-coated AgNPs compared to free quercetin. These results were further substantiated by time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopy where fluorescence life time of the tryptophan residue in HSA-quercetin-coated AgNPs complex decreased to 3.63 ns from 4.22 ns in HSA-quercetin complex. Isothermal calorimetric studies reveal two binding modes for quercetin-coated AgNPs and also higher binding constants compared to free quercetin. These higher binding affinities are attributed to altered properties of quercetin when coated on AgNPs enabling it to reach the binding sites other than site II where free quercetin mainly binds.

Insight into the interaction of inhaled corticosteroids with human serum albumin: A spectroscopic-based study

It is well known that the safety and efficacy profile of an inhaled cortocosteroid (ICS) is influenced by the pharmacokinetic properties and associated pharmacodynamic effects of the drug. Freely circulating, protein unbound, and active ICS can cause systemic adverse effects. Therefore, a detailed investigation of drug-protein interaction could be of great interest to understand the pharmacokinetic behaviour of corticosteroids and for the design of new analogues with effective pharmacological properties. In the present work, the interaction between some corticosteroids and human serum albumin (HSA) has been studied by spectroscopic approaches. UV–Vis spectroscopy confirmed that all the investigated corticosteroids can bind to HSA forming a protein-drug complex. The intrinsic fluorescence of HSA was quenched by all the investigated drugs, which was rationalized in terms of a static quenching mechanism. The thermodynamic parameters determined by the Van’t Hoff analysis of the binding constants (negative ΔH and ΔS values) clearly indicate thathydrogen bonds and van der Waals forces play a major role in the binding process between albumin and betamethasone, flunisolide and prednisolone, while hydrophobic forces may play a major role in stabilizing albumin-triamcinolone complexes.

Investigating the interaction mechanism of fluorescent whitening agents to human serum albumin using saturation transfer difference-NMR, multi-spectroscopy, and docking studies

Characterization of the interaction between two fluorescent whitening agents and human serum albumin: ¹H STD-NMR, multi-spectroscopy, and docking studies.

Macroporous resin purification and characterization of flavonoids from Platycladus orientalis (L.) Franco and their effects on macrophage inflammatory response

LPS-induced macrophage cells as a model of inflammatory response to investigate the anti-inflammatory mechanism of the purifiedPlatycladus orientalis(L.) Franco flavonoids.

Unravelling the binding mechanism and protein stability of human serum albumin while interacting with nefopam analogues: a biophysical and insilico approach

In this study, molecular binding affinity was investigated for Nefopam analogues (NFs), a functionalized benzoxazocine, with human serum albumin (HSA), a major transport protein in the blood. Its binding affinity and concomitant changes in its conformation, binding site and simulations were also studied. Fluorescence data revealed that the fluorescence quenching of HSA upon binding of NFs analogues is based on a static mechanism. The three analogues of NFs binding constants (K_A) are in the order of NF3 > NF2 > NF1 with values of 1.53 ± .057 × 10⁴, 2.16 ± .071 × 10⁴ and 3.6 ± .102 × 10⁵ M^-1, respectively. Concurrently, thermodynamic parameters indicate that the binding process was spontaneous, and the complexes were stabilized mostly by hydrophobic interactions, except for NF2 has one hydrogen bond stabilizes it along with hydrophobic interactions. Circular dichroism (CD) studies revealed that there is a decrease in α-helix with an increase in β-sheets and random coils signifying partial unfolding of the protein upon binding of NFs, which might be due to the formation of NFs-HSA complexes. Further, molecular docking studies showed that NF1, NF2 and NF3 bound to subdomains IIIA, IB and IIA through hydrophobic interactions. However, NF1 have additionally formed a single hydrogen bond with LYS 413. Furthermore, molecular simulations unveiled that NFs binding was in support with the structural perturbation observed in CD, which is evident from the root mean square deviation and R_g fluctuations. We hope our insights will provide ample scope for engineering new drugs based on the resemblances with NFs for enhanced efficacy with HSA.

Protein-Flavonoid Interaction Studies by a Taylor Dispersion Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR) Technique: A Novel Method to Assess Biomolecular Interactions

Flavonoids are common polyphenolic compounds widely distributed in fruits and vegetables. These pigments have important pharmacological relevance because emerging research suggests possible anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory properties as well other beneficial health effects. These compounds are relatively hydrophobic molecules, suggesting the role of blood transport proteins in their delivery to tissues. In this study, we assess the binding interactions of four flavonoids (kaempferol, luteolin, quercetin, and resveratrol) with human serum albumin (HSA), the most abundant protein in the blood, and with glutathione S-transferase pi isoform-1 (GSTP1), an enzyme with well-characterized hydrophobic binding sites that plays an important role in detoxification of xenobiotics with reduced glutathione, using a novel Taylor dispersion surface plasmon resonance (SPR) technique. For the first time, HSA sites revealed a high-affinity binding site for flavonoid interactions. Out of the four flavonoids that we examined, quercetin and kaempferol showed the strongest equilibrium binding affinities (K_D) of 63 ± 0.03 nM and 37 ± 0.07 nM, respectively. GSTP1 displayed lower affinities in the micromolar range towards all of the flavonoids tested. The interactions of flavonoids with HSA and GSTP1 were studied successfully using this novel SPR assay method. The new method is compatible with both kinetic and equilibrium analyses.

Neo-epitopes on methylglyoxal modified human serum albumin lead to aggressive autoimmune response in diabetes

Glyco-oxidation of proteins has implications in the progression of diabetes type 2. Human serum albumin is prone to glyco-oxidative attack by sugars and methylglyoxal being a strong glycating agent may have severe impact on its structure and consequent role in diabetes. This study has probed the methylglyoxal mediated modifications of HSA, the alterations in its immunological characteristics and possible role in autoantibody induction. We observed an exposure of chromophoric groups, loss in the fluorescence intensity, generation of AGEs, formation of cross-linked products, decrease in α-helical content, increase in hydrophobic clusters, FTIR band shift, attachment of methylglyoxal to HSA and the formation of N(ε)-(carboxyethyl) lysine in the modified HSA, when compared to the native albumin. MG-HSA was found to be highly immunogenic with additional immunogenicity invoking a highly specific immune response than its native counterpart. The binding characteristics of circulating autoantibodies in type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) patients showed the generation of anti-MG-HSA auto-antibodies in the these patients, that are preferentially recognized by the modified albumin. We propose that MG induced structural perturbations in HSA, result in the generation of neo-epitopes leading to an aggressive auto-immune response and may contribute to the immunopathogenesis of diabetes type 2 associated complications.

Investigation on the Interaction of Hydroxyethyl Starch 130/0.4 (Voluven) and Serum Albumin for Pharmacokinetic and Toxicological Implications

The interaction of hydroxyethyl starch 130/0.4 (Voluven) with human serum albumin (HSA) has been investigated by fluorescence (steady state and synchronous), Fourier transforms infrared (FT-IR), and circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopies. Analysis of the fluorescence quenching data of HSA by Voluven using the Stern-Volmer method revealed the formation of 1:1 ground-state complex. Evaluation of binding parameters and binding energy indicated that the binding reaction was exothermic. On the basis of fluorescence measurements, it was concluded that electrostatic forces play a crucial role in stabilizing the complex. The binding distance was calculated by using Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) theory. The conformational changes of HSA were obtained qualitatively as well as quantitatively using synchronous fluorescence, FT-IR, and CD. The HSA underwent partial unfolding in the presence of Voluven.

DNA damaging, cell cytotoxicity and serum albumin binding efficacy of the rutin–Cu(ii) complex

The rutin–Cu(ii) complex causes DNA damage and is also able to inhibit the growth of human HeLa cells. This complex binds with serum albuminsviahydrophobic forces.

Structural and electronic determinants of flavonoid binding to human serum albumin: an extensive ligand-based study

The most prominent features responsible for binding of flavonoid aglycones to the IIA region of human serum albumin (HSA) were determined based onin vitrofluorescence measurements and density functional theory calculations.

Inhibitory effect of quercetin in the formation of advance glycation end products of human serum albumin: An in vitro and molecular interaction study

Non-enzymatic glycation entails the reaction between the carbonyl group of a sugar with the amino group of a protein giving rise to Schiff base and Amadori products. The formation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) leads to the generation of free radicals, which play an important role in the pathophysiology of ageing and diabetes. Bioavailable dietary antioxidants like quercetin (QC) are thought to inhibit AGEs formation. This study was aimed to investigate the effect of quercetin on AGE formation and features the glycation of human serum albumin (HSA) and its characterization by various spectroscopic techniques. The effect of quercetin, against the formation of AGEs was studied using a glycated human serum albumin product, haemoglobin-δ-gluconolactone, and aminoguanidine. The results were then corroborated with estimation of protein oxidation, lipid peroxidation and comet assay. On the basis of the experimental data, computational docking studies were then performed to understand the location of the site of quercetin binding and its best bound conformation with respect to human serum albumin. Through this study we have demonstrated the mechanism of formation of AGE and its inhibition by quercetin. We have also suggested that the supplementation with dietary antioxidants like quercetin might protect against free radical toxicity.

Interaction of oridonin with human serum albumin by isothermal titration calorimetry and spectroscopic techniques

Oridonin has been traditionally and widely used for treatment of various human diseases due to its uniquely biological, pharmacological and physiological functions. In this study, the interaction between oridonin and human serum albumin (HSA) was investigated using isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC), in combination with fluorescence spectroscopy and UV-vis absorption spectroscopy. We found that the hydrogen bond and van der Waals force are the major binding forces in the binding of oridonin to HSA. The binding of oridonin to HSA is driven by favorable enthalpy and unfavorable entropy. Oridonin can quench the fluorescence of HSA through a static quenching mechanism. The binding constant between oridonin and HSA is moderate and the equilibrium fraction of unbound oridonin f(u) > 60%. Binding site I is found to be the primary binding site for oridonin. Additionally, oridonin may induce conformational changes of HSA and affect its biological function as the carrier protein. The results of the current study suggest that oridonin can be stored and transported from the circulatory system to reach its target organ to provide its therapeutic effects. But its side-effect in the clinics cannot be overlook. The study provides an accurate and full basic data for clarifying the binding mechanism of oridonin with HSA and is helpful for understanding its effect on protein function during the blood transportation process and its biological activity in vivo.