The antimicrobial nalidixic acid as a probe for molecular recognition of α- and β-cyclodextrins

The inclusion of the antibacterial drug nalidixic acid (NAL) in α- and β-cyclodextrin (CD) cavities was studied using UV–vis absorption and voltammetric methods. It was corroborated that the UV absorption bands of NAL are intensified in the presence of α- and β-CDs. A pronounced decrease in the peak currents of NAL was also noticed upon the addition of α- and β-CDs. From the changes in the peak currents, it was concluded that NAL forms 1:1 inclusion complexes with the various hosts, which is also revealed in the phase solubility profile of the NAL–β-CD system, as a representative example. From voltammetric data, the logarithm of the binding constants were calculated to be 2.60 and 3.20 for α- and β-CDs, respectively. The magnitude of the formation constants, as well as the Gibbs free energies for NAL with α- and β-CDs, shows that NAL is bound more strongly to β-CD, with a more apolar cavity, than to α-CD. These observations suggest that hydrophobic interaction is the most important recognition element in the binding process. All orientations of entering NAL into the cavity have been considered herein, with the purpose of characterizing the inclusion complex of NAL with CD. Combining the experimental results and molecular modeling and energy calculations on the inclusion complexes yielded a more detailed picture of the solution structure of the complex formed between NAL and either α-CD or β-CD. It was inferred that the inclusion process can occur through the 2-methylpyridine side. An additional hydrogen bond was also found to be formed between the carboxyl group of NAL, which remains outside the β-CD cavity, and the secondary hydroxyl group of β-CD. This hydrogen bond should, therefore, be operating as an important second recognition element in the NAL–β-CD system. Key words: cyclodextrins, host–guest association, inclusion complexes, nalidixic acid, solubility, voltammetry.

Voltammetric studies of the interaction of lumazine with cyclodextrins and DNA

The interaction of lumazine, an antibacterial drug, with alpha-, beta-cyclodextrins and DNA in aqueous solution was studied by differential pulse stripping voltammetry and cyclic voltammetry as well as UV-vis spectroscopy. The electrochemical and absorption spectral data indicated a 1:1 complex formation of lumazine with alpha-, beta-cyclodextrins and DNA. The nature of the process, taking place at the hanging mercury drop electrode, was clarified. It was found that the complexation of lumazine molecules enhances the stacking interactions which might facilitate the formation of a perpendicularly stacked layer of lumazine-alpha-cyclodextrin complex on the electrode surface. Based on the variations in the current or absorbance, the formation constants and consequently, the Gibbs energy of these complexes were determined. The small size cavity of alpha-cyclodextrin was found to have a greater affinity for lumazine than the beta-cyclodextrin. Moreover, the interactions of lumazine-alpha-cyclodextrin or lumazine-beta-cyclodextrin inclusion complex with DNA have been investigated by means of voltammetry. The results suggest that lumazine displayed high affinity for DNA and the inclusion complex decomposed when it binds to DNA.

Binding of anti-inflammatory drug indomethacin with cyclodextrin and DNA: solubility, spectroscopic, and voltammetric studies

The interaction of the anti-inflammatory drug indomethacin (IMC) with α-, β-cyclodextrins (CDs) and calf thymus deoxyribonucleic acid (ct-DNA) have been investigated in the Britton-Robinson (BR) buffer (pH = 7.2) using solubility, spectroscopic, and voltammetric methods. The measurements show that the IMC molecule, acting as an intercalator, is inserted, from the p-chlorobenzoyl part, into the cavity of the cyclodextrins as well as into the base-stacking domain of the ct-DNA double helix. Upon addition of β-CD in a buffered IMC solution, the solubility of IMC increases and the Gibbs free energies of transfer of the drug from aqueous solution to the cavity of β-CD are negative and increase negatively with increasing β-CD concentration. The interaction of IMC with CDs and ct-DNA causes hypochromism and bathochromic shifts in the absorption spectra, along with pronounced changes in the electrochemical behaviour of the drug. The stoichiometry of complexes formed in solution is inferred to be 1:1. The binding constants were calculated from the increase of the solubility, the strong hypochromism, and the decrease in peak current of IMC upon the addition of the host molecules. IMC has a higher affinity for β-CD than for α-CD, as the IMC–β-CD interaction is the most exergonic. Binding is interpreted in terms of the intercalative (hydrophobic) interactions with the ct-DNA helix (i.e., the stacked base pairs) or within CD cavity.Key words: cyclodextrin, ct-DNA, anti-inflammatory drug, indomethacin, binding constant, solubility, spectra, voltammetry.