SERS spectroscopy of kaempferol and galangin under the interaction of human serum albumin with adsorbed silver nanoparticles

Probing the interaction of zinc oxide nanorods with human serum albumin: A spectroscopic approach

Bio-functionalized metal oxide nanoparticles (NPs) have been taken great importance in biomedical fields. The use of nanoparticles as delivery agents of therapeutic molecules led the researchers to emphasize the potential impact of these NPs on bio-macromolecules as protein-nanoparticle complexes, which also extended their importance as vehicles in targeted drug delivery systems due to increased ease of administration, firmness, reduced toxic side effects, and half-life of drugs. Since human serum albumin is the blood protein responsible for transporting materials in the blood system, the interaction of these particles with HSA is essential to be understood before considering the nanoparticles for any individual biomedical application. In the present study, we synthesized zinc-oxide nanorods (ZONRs) using a microwave-assisted synthesis technique, and characterized them by XRD, FTIR, Raman, SEM-EDX, UV-Vis spectroscopy, and photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy methods. The interaction studies were carried out using fluorescence spectroscopy, and the change in secondary structure was analyzed using CD spectroscopy. The results of MTT cell viability assay demonstrated that the ZONRs has potential cytotoxic properties.

Investigation of the binding sites and orientation of Norfloxacin on bovine serum albumin by surface enhanced Raman scattering and molecular docking

Norfloxacin (NFX) is an antibacterial agent belonging to the fluoroquinolone family of drugs, known to bind bovine serum albumin (BSA). Surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) and fluorescence spectroscopy in combination with molecular docking were explored to investigate the binding interaction between NFX with Bovine serum albumin (BSA) at a physiological condition. This study focused on identifying the binding site and relevant interaction mechanisms between NFX and BSA. Spectrophotometric titration with molecular docking results demonstrated that the binding site of NFX on BSA was located in sub-domain IIA. The principle binding site was identified within a hydrophobic cavity which is surrounded by the residues Leu 197, Arg 198, Ser 201, Ala 209, Trp 213, Ser 343, Leu 346, Lys 350, Ser 453, Leu 480, Val 481, and the binding force was mainly hydrophobic interaction and hydrogen bond interaction. In addition, the absorptive orientation of the NFX molecule on the colloidal surface underwent a set of changes during the process of NFX binding to BSA.

Based on SERS conformational studies of ginsenoside Rb1 and its metabolites before and after combined with human serum albumin

Surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) and fluorescence spectroscopy were employed to probe the interaction of the pharmaceutical and natural product molecules, ginsenoside Rb1, Rd, Rg3 and compound K (CK), with human serum albumin (HSA). Normal Raman spectra of these four ginsenosides were obtained from solid powder on glass slide. Based on the unsplit peak at 1445 cm(-1), the stacking modes of ginsenoside Rb1, Rd, Rg3 and CK were quite similar, when the deconvolution of alkyl chain was not occurred. SERS spectra of ginsenoside Rb1, Rd, Rg3 and CK were obtained from a colloidal silver surface on a self-assembled SERS substrate, the most enhanced modes were those with certain motions perpendicular to the metal surface, such as C24C25 stretch and CH out-of-plane bending from alkyl chain. The SERS spectra were used to predict similar perpendicular orientation of flexible alkyl chain and parallel orientation of carbocyclic rings on Ag colloid particles. Therefore, when combined with HSA, the transformations of four ginsenosides still exhibit similar, although in different binding cavities in subdomain IIA and IIIA by making the methyls at C26 and C27 perpendicular plugging into the hydrophobic site of HSA, while the aglycone and glucose nearby are perpendicularly exposed outside to fit other suitable active targeting sites.

SERS study of different configurations of pharmaceutical and natural product molecules ginsenoside Rg3 under the interaction with human serum albumin on simple self-assembled substrate

Surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) and fluorescence spectroscopy were employed to probe the interaction of the pharmaceutical and natural product molecules, 20(R) and 20(S)-ginsenoside Rg3, with human serum albumin (HSA). Normal Raman spectra of 20(R) and 20(S)-ginsenoside Rg3 were obtained from solid powder on glass slide. Based on the splitting peaks near 1440 cm(-1), the stacking modes of 20(R) and 20(S)-ginsenoside Rg3 were quite different. SERS spectra of both R and S configurations were obtained from a colloidal silver surface on a self-assembled SERS substrate, the most enhanced modes of 20(R) and 20(S)-ginsenoside Rg3 were those with certain motions perpendicular to the metal surface. The SERS spectra were used to predict a common orientation geometry for the alkyl chain portion of the drugs on the colloidal surface with a minor difference in the carbocyclic rings. Nevertheless, once combined with HSA, the flexible portion of alkyl chains assumes a collectively similar conformation on the Ag surface with the glucose rings perpendicularly plugging into the hydrophobic site of HSA.