Shohreh Nafisi

Islamic Azad University, Tehrān, Ostan-e Tehran, Iran

Are you Shohreh Nafisi?

Claim your profile

Publications (22)39.6 Total impact

  • Article: Encapsulation of Milk β-Lactoglobulin by Chitosan Nanoparticles.
    [show abstract] [hide abstract]
    ABSTRACT: Naturally occurring polymers, such as chitosan, have been extensively studied as carriers for therapeutic protein and gene delivery systems. β-Lactoglobulin (β-LG) is a member of lipocalin superfamily of transporters for small hydrophobic molecules We examine the binding of milk β-lactoglobulin with chitosan of different sizes such as chitosan 15, 100 and 200 KD in aqueous solution at pH 5-6, using FTIR, CD, fluorescence spectroscopic methods and molecular modeling. Structural analysis showed that chitosan binds β-LG via both hydrophilic and hydrophobic contacts with overall binding constants of Kβ-LG-ch-15 = 4.1 (±0.4) x 102 M-1 and Kβ-LG-ch-100 = 7.2 (±0.6) x 104 M-1 and Kβ-LG-ch-200 = 3.9 (±0.5) x 103 M-1 with the number of bound protein per chitosan (n) 0.9 for ch-15, 0.6 for ch-100 and 1.6 for ch-200. Chitosan 100 KD forms stronger complexes with β-LG than chitosans 200 and 15 KD. Polymer binding did not alter protein conformation inducing structural stabilization. Chitosan 100 is a stronger protein transporter than chitosan 15 and 200 KD.
    The Journal of Physical Chemistry B 05/2013; · 3.70 Impact Factor
  • Article: Study on the interaction of sulforaphane with human and bovine serum albumins.
    [show abstract] [hide abstract]
    ABSTRACT: Sulforaphane; [1-isothiocyanato-4-(methylsulfinyl) butane], (SFN) is an isothiocyanate derived from glucoraphanin present in cruciferous vegetables and has a variety of potential chemopreventive actions. This study was designed to examine the interaction of sulforaphane with HSA and BSA. FTIR, UV-Vis spectroscopic methods as well as molecular modeling were used to determine the drug binding mode, binding constant and the effect of drug complexation on serum albumins stability and conformation. Structural analysis showed that SFN bind HSA and BSA via polypeptide polar groups with overall binding constants of KSFN-HSA=6.54×10(4) and KSFN-BSA=8.55×10(4)M(-1). HSA and BSA conformations were altered by a major reduction of α-helix upon SFN interaction. These results suggest that serum albumins might act as carrier proteins for SFN in delivering them to target tissues.
    Journal of photochemistry and photobiology. B, Biology 02/2013; 122C:61-67. · 1.87 Impact Factor
  • Article: A comparative study of the interaction of Tamiflu and Oseltamivir carboxylate with bovine serum albumin.
    [show abstract] [hide abstract]
    ABSTRACT: Oseltamivir phosphate (Tamiflu) is a pro-drug that is metabolized to its active form (Oseltamivir carboxylate), after oral administration. OC inhibits influenza A and B neuraminidases in vitro and OP inhibits influenza virus infection and replication in vitro. Serum albumin is the most abundant of the proteins in the circulatory system of a wide variety of organisms and plays an important role in the transport and deposition of many drugs. The aim of this study was to examine the interaction of BSA with Tamiflu and Oseltamivir carboxylate in aqueous solution at physiological conditions, using a constant protein concentration and various drug contents. FTIR, UV-Vis spectroscopic methods were used to determine the drugs binding mode, the binding constant and the effects of drug complexation on protein secondary structure. Structural analysis showed that OP and OC bind BSA with overall binding constants of K(OP-BSA)=1.88 (±0.16)×10(4)M(-1) and K(OC-BSA)=5.7 (±0.09)×10(2)M(-1). Drug complexation alters protein conformation by major reduction of α-helix and random coil and increase of β-sheet and turn structures that indicate a partial protein destabilization. The results suggest that BSA might act as carrier proteins for OP in delivering it to target molecules.
    Journal of photochemistry and photobiology. B, Biology 11/2012; 119C:65-70. · 1.87 Impact Factor
  • Article: The effect of Se salts on DNA structure.
    [show abstract] [hide abstract]
    ABSTRACT: There is considerable interest in the role of selenium in cancer prevention. Various organic and inorganic Se compounds are considered to be antioxidants. In the present study, the binding modes, the binding constants and the stability of Se-DNA complexes have been determined by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and UV-Visible spectroscopic methods. Spectroscopic evidence showed that Na(2)SeO(4) and Na(2)SeO(3) bind to the minor and major grooves of DNA and the backbone phosphate (PO(2)) with overall binding constants of K(Na(2)SeO(4)-DNA)=5.20×10(4) M(-1) and K(Na(2)SeO(3)-DNA)=1.87×10(3) M(-1). DNA aggregations occurred at high selenium concentrations. No biopolymer conformational changes were observed upon Na(2)SeO(3) and Na(2)SeO(4) interactions, while DNA remained in the B-family structure.
    Journal of photochemistry and photobiology. B, Biology 05/2012; 113:36-41. · 1.87 Impact Factor
  • Article: Study on the interaction of glycyrrhizin and glycyrrhetinic acid with RNA.
    [show abstract] [hide abstract]
    ABSTRACT: Glycyrrhizin is a well known pharmacologically bioactive natural glycoside. Glycyrrhizin (GL) has been widely used as a therapeutic agent for chronic active liver diseases. Glycyrrhetinic acid is an aglycone and an active metabolite of glycyrrhizin. This study is the first attempt to locate the binding sites of glycyrrhizin and glycyrrhetinic acid to RNA. The effect of the ligand complexation on RNA aggregation was investigated in aqueous solution at physiological conditions, using constant RNA concentration (6.25 mM) and various ligand/polynucleotide (phosphate) ratios of 1/280, 1/240, 1/120, 1/80, 1/40, 1/20, 1/10, 1/5, 1/2 and 1/1. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and UV-Visible spectroscopic methods as well as molecular modeling were used to determine the ligand binding modes, the binding constants, and the stability of ligands-RNA complexes in aqueous solution. Spectroscopic evidence showed that glycyrrhizin and glycyrrhetinic acid bind RNA via G-C and A-U base pairs as well as the backbone phosphate group with overall binding constants of K(GL-RNA)=3.03×10(3)M(-1), K(GA-RNA)=2.71×10(3)M(-1). The affinity of ligands-RNA binding is in the order of glycyrrhizin>glycyrrhetinic acid. RNA remains in the A-family structure, while biopolymer aggregation occurred at high triterpenoid concentrations.
    Journal of photochemistry and photobiology. B, Biology 03/2012; 111:27-34. · 1.87 Impact Factor
  • Article: Interaction of aspirin and vitamin C with bovine serum albumin.
    [show abstract] [hide abstract]
    ABSTRACT: Vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid) has a major biological role as a natural antioxidant. Aspirin belongs to the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and functions as an antioxidant via its ability to scavenge-OH radicals. Bovine serum albumin (BSA) is the major soluble protein constituent of the circulatory system and has many physiological functions including transport of a variety of compounds. In this report, the competitive binding of vitamin C and aspirin to bovine serum albumin has been studied using constant protein concentration and various drug concentrations at pH 7.2. FTIR and UV-Vis spectroscopic methods were used to analyze vitamin C and aspirin binding modes, the binding constants and the effects of drug complexation on BSA stability and conformation. Spectroscopic evidence showed that vitamin C and aspirin bind BSA via hydrophilic interactions (polypeptide and amine polar groups) with overall binding constants of K(vitamin C-BSA)=1.57×10(4)M(-1) and K(aspirin-BSA)=1.15×10(4)M(-1); assuming that there is one drug molecule per protein. The BSA secondary structure was altered with major decrease of α-helix from 64% (free protein) to 57% (BSA-vitamin C) and 54% (BSA-aspirin) and β-sheet from 15% (free protein) to 6-7% upon drug complexation, inducing a partial protein destabilization.
    Journal of photochemistry and photobiology. B, Biology 12/2011; 105(3):198-202. · 1.87 Impact Factor
  • Article: Interaction of glycyrrhizin and glycyrrhetinic acid with DNA.
    [show abstract] [hide abstract]
    ABSTRACT: Glycyrrhizin (GL), a molecule of glycyrrhetinic acid (GA), is an aqueous extract from licorice root. These compounds are well known for their anti-inflammatory, hepatocarcinogenesis, antiviral, and interferon-inducing activities. This study is the first attempt to investigate the binding of GL and GA with DNA. The effect of ligand complexation on DNA aggregation and condensation was investigated in aqueous solution at physiological conditions, using constant DNA concentration (6.25 mM) and various ligands/polynucleotide (phosphate) ratios of 1/240, 1/120, 1/80, 1/40, 1/20, 1/10, 1/5, 1/2, and 1/1. Fourier transform infrared and ultraviolet (UV)-visible spectroscopic methods were used to determine the ligand binding modes, the binding constants, and the stability of ligand-DNA complexes in aqueous solution. Spectroscopic evidence showed that GL and GA bind DNA via major and minor grooves as well as the backbone phosphate group with overall binding constants of K(GL-DNA)=5.7×10(3) M(-1), K(GA-DNA)=5.1×10(3) M(-1). The affinity of ligand-DNA binding is in the order of GL>GA. DNA remained in the B-family structure, whereas biopolymer aggregation occurred at high triterpenoid concentrations.
    DNA and cell biology 11/2011; 31(1):114-21. · 2.28 Impact Factor
  • Article: Study on the interaction of tamiflu and oseltamivir carboxylate with human serum albumin.
    Shohreh Nafisi, Tahereh Sadigh Vishkaee
    [show abstract] [hide abstract]
    ABSTRACT: Oseltamivir phosphate (OP; tamiflu) is an antiviral pro-drug, which is hydrolyzed hepatically to the active metabolite oseltamivir carboxylate (OC). It is the first orally neuraminidase inhibitor that was used in the treatment and prophylaxis of influenza virus A and B infection. Human serum albumin (HSA) is the most abundant of the proteins in the blood plasma and is major transporter for delivering several drugs in vivo. This study was designed to examine the interaction of HSA with oseltamivir phosphate (OP) and oseltamivir carboxylate (OC) in aqueous solution at physiological conditions, using a constant protein concentration and various drug contents. FTIR, UV-Vis spectroscopic methods were used to determine the drugs binding mode, the binding constant and the effects of drug complexation on protein secondary structure. Structural analysis showed that OP and OC bind HSA via polypeptide polar groups with overall binding constants of K(OP-HSA)=3.86(± 1.05)× 10(3)M(-1) and K(OC-HSA)=1.5(±0.45) × 10(2)M(-1). The alterations of protein secondary structure are attributed to a partial destabilization of HSA on drug complexation. The protein secondary structure showed no major alterations at low drugs concentrations (50 μM), whereas at higher content (1mM), decrease of α-helix from 58% (free HSA) to 38% (OP-HSA)-48% (OC-HSA), decrease of random coil from 15% (free HSA) to 2% (OP-HSA)-3% (OC-HSA), increase of β-sheet from 6% (free HSA) to 20% (OC-HSA)-29% (OP-HSA) and turn from 8% (free HSA) to 17% (OC-HSA)-19% (OP-HSA) occurred in the drug-HSA complexes. These observations indicated that low drug content induced protein stabilization, whereas at high drug concentration, a partial protein destabilization occurred in these drug-HSA complexes.
    Journal of photochemistry and photobiology. B, Biology 07/2011; 105(1):34-9. · 1.87 Impact Factor
  • Article: Binding of 2-acetylaminofluorene to DNA.
    [show abstract] [hide abstract]
    ABSTRACT: 2-Acetylaminofluorene (2-AAF) is a carcinogenic and mutagenic derivative of fluorene. It is used as a biochemical tool in the study of carcinogenesis. Studies have shown that it induces tumors in a number of species in the liver, bladder, and kidney. It is thought that 2-AAF-DNA adduct formation leads to mutation, and eventually tumor formation. The aim of this study was to examine the interactions of AAF with calf-thymus DNA in aqueous solution at physiological conditions, using constant DNA concentration (12.5 mM) and various AAF/polynucleotide (phosphate) ratios of 1/120, 1/80, 1/40, 1/20, 1/10, 1/5, 1/2, and 1/1. Fourier transform infrared and UV-visible spectroscopic methods and molecular modeling were used to determine the ligand binding mode, the binding constant, and the stability of AAF-DNA complexes in aqueous solution. Spectroscopic evidence showed both intercalation and external binding of AAF to DNA with an overall binding constant of K(AAF-DNA) = 2.33 × 10(7) M(-1). 2-AAF induced a partial B to A-DNA transition and DNA aggregation was observed at high AAF content.
    DNA and cell biology 06/2011; 30(11):955-62. · 2.28 Impact Factor
  • Article: Interaction of β-carboline alkaloids with RNA.
    [show abstract] [hide abstract]
    ABSTRACT: β-Carboline alkaloids are present in medicinal plants such as Peganum harmala L., which have been used as folk medicine in anticancer therapy. Recently, they have drawn attention because of their antitumor activities. Despite considerable interest and investigations on alkaloid-DNA complexes, reports on alkaloid-RNA interaction are very limited. This study is the first attempt to investigate the binding of β-carboline alkaloids (harmine, harmane, harmaline, harmalol, and tryptoline) with yeast RNA. The effect of alkaloid complexation on RNA aggregation and condensation was investigated in aqueous solution at physiological conditions, using constant RNA concentration (6.25 mM) and various alkaloid:polynucleotide (phosphate) ratios of 1:240, 1:160, 1:80, 1:40, 1:20, 1:10, 1:5, 1:2, and 1:1. Fourier transform infrared and UV-visible spectroscopic methods were used to determine the ligand-binding modes, the binding constants, and the stability of alkaloid-RNA complexes in aqueous solution. Spectroscopic evidence showed major binding of alkaloids to RNA with overall binding constants of K(harmine)-RNA = 2.95 × 10⁷ M⁻¹, K(harmane)-RNA = 5.62 × 10⁵ M⁻¹, K(harmaline)-RNA = 7.47 × 10⁵ M⁻¹, K(harmalol)-RNA = 4.32 × 10⁵ M⁻¹, and K(tryptoline)-RNA = 3.21 × 10⁵ M⁻¹. The affinity of alkaloids-RNA binding is in the order of harmine > harmaline > harmane > harmalol > tryptoline. No biopolymer secondary structural changes were observed upon alkaloid interaction and RNA remains in the A-family structure in these complexes.
    DNA and cell biology 12/2010; 29(12):753-61. · 2.28 Impact Factor
  • Article: Beta-carboline alkaloids bind DNA.
    [show abstract] [hide abstract]
    ABSTRACT: Beta-carboline alkaloids present in Peganum harmala (harmal) have recently drawn attention due to their antitumor activities. The mechanistic studies indicate that beta-carboline derivatives inhibit DNA topoisomerases and interfere with DNA synthesis. They interact with DNA via both groove binding and intercalative modes and cause major DNA structural changes. The aim of this study was to examine the interactions of five beta-carboline alkaloids (harmine, harmane, harmaline, harmalol and tryptoline) with calf-thymus DNA in aqueous solution at physiological conditions, using constant DNA concentration (6.25 mM) and various alkaloids/polynucleotide (phosphate) ratios of 1/240, 1/160, 1/80, 1/40, 1/20, 1/10, 1/5, 1/2 and 1/1. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and UV-visible spectroscopic methods were used to determine the ligand binding modes, the binding constants, and the stability of alkaloids-DNA complexes in aqueous solution. Spectroscopic evidence showed major binding of alkaloids to DNA with overall binding constants of K(harmine)-DNA=3.44x10(7) M(-1), K(harmane)-DNA=1.63x10(5) M(-1), K(harmaline)-DNA=3.82x10(5) M(-1), K(harmalol)-DNA=6.43x10(5) M(-1) and K(tryptoline)-DNA=1.11x10(5) M(-1). The affinity of alkaloids-DNA binding is in the order of harmine>harmalol>harmaline>harmane>tryptoline. No biopolymer secondary structural changes were observed upon alkaloid interaction and DNA remains in the B-family structure in these complexes.
    Journal of photochemistry and photobiology. B, Biology 08/2010; 100(2):84-91. · 1.87 Impact Factor
  • Article: A comparative study on the interaction of cis- and trans-platin with DNA and RNA.
    Shohreh Nafisi, Zeinab Norouzi
    [show abstract] [hide abstract]
    ABSTRACT: Cis-diamminedichloroplatinum(II) is a frequently used and very effective chemotherapeutic drug for treatment of various malignancies; however, the trans isomer is clinically ineffective. Cis-platin exerts its antitumor activity by binding to DNA via intrastrand cross-links to d(GpG) (dG = deoxyguanosine) and to d(ApG) (dA = deoxyadenosine), interfering with DNA replication and transcription and causing cell death. The trans-diamminedichloroplatinum(II) isomer also binds DNA, but is clinically ineffective. This study was designed to examine the interactions of cis- and trans-platin with calf thymus DNA and yeast RNA in aqueous solution at physiological conditions, using a constant DNA and RNA concentration (6.25 mM) and various platin salts/polynucleotide (phosphate) ratios of 1/100, 1/50, 1/25, and 1/12.5. Fourier transform infrared, ultraviolet-visible spectroscopic methods were used to determine the drug binding modes, the binding constants, and the stability of cis- and trans-platin-DNA and -RNA complexes in aqueous solution. Spectroscopic evidence showed that cis- and trans-platin bind to the major and minor grooves of DNA (via G, A, T, and C bases), while RNA binding is through G, U, A, and C bases with some degree of the pt-phosphate (PO(2)) interaction for both isomers and overall binding constants of K((cis-platin-DNA)) = 5.51 x 10(4) M(-1), K((trans-platin-DNA)) = 2.26 x 10(4) M(-1), K((cis-platin-RNA)) = 1.9 x 10(4) M(-1), and K((trans-platin-RNA)) = 1.75 x 10(4) M(-1). DNA and RNA aggregations occurred at high platin concentrations. No biopolymer conformational changes were observed upon cis- and trans-platin interactions, while DNA remains in the B-family, and RNA retains its A-family structure. The order of platin compound-polymer stability was cis-platin-DNA > trans-platin-DNA > cis-platin-RNA > trans-platin-RNA.
    DNA and cell biology 06/2009; 28(9):469-77. · 2.28 Impact Factor
  • Article: Curcumin binding to DNA and RNA.
    [show abstract] [hide abstract]
    ABSTRACT: Curcumin, the yellow pigment from the rhizoma of Curcuma longa, is a widely studied phytochemical with a variety of biological activities. The ongoing research and clinical trials have proved that this natural phenolic compound has great and diverse pharmacological potencies. Beside its effective antioxidant, antiinflammatory, and antimicrobial/antiviral properties, curcumin is also considered as a cancer chemopreventive agent. While the antioxidant activity of curcumin is well documented, its interaction with DNA and RNA is not fully investigated. This study was designed to examine the interactions of curcumin with calf thymus DNA and yeast RNA in aqueous solution at physiological conditions, using constant DNA and RNA concentration (6.25 mM) and various curcumin/polynucleotide (phosphate) ratios of 1/120, 1/80, 1/40, 1/20, and 1/10. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and UV-visible spectroscopic methods were used to determine the ligand binding modes, the binding constants, and the stability of curcumin-DNA and curcumin-RNA complexes in aqueous solution. Spectroscopic evidence showed that curcumin binds to the major and minor grooves of DNA duplex and to RNA bases as well as to the back bone phosphate group with overall binding constants of K(curcumin-DNA) = 4.255 x 10(4) M(-1) and K(curcumin-RNA) = 1.262 x 10(4) M(-1). Major DNA and RNA aggregation occurred at high pigment concentration. No conformational changes were observed upon curcumin interaction with these biopolymers; that is, DNA remains in the B, and RNA retains its A-family structure.
    DNA and cell biology 05/2009; 28(4):201-8. · 2.28 Impact Factor
  • Article: DNA adducts with antioxidant flavonoids: morin, apigenin, and naringin.
    [show abstract] [hide abstract]
    ABSTRACT: Flavonoids have recently attracted a great interest as potential therapeutic drugs against a wide range of free-radical-mediated diseases. The anticancer and antiviral activities of these natural products are implicated in their mechanism of actions. While the antioxidant activity of these natural polyphenolic compounds is well known, their bindings to DNA are not fully investigated. This study was designed to examine the interactions of morin (Mor), naringin (Nar), and apigenin (Api) with calf thymus DNA in aqueous solution at physiological conditions, using constant DNA concentration (6.25 mM) and various drug/DNA(phosphate) ratios of 1/40 to 1. FTIR and UV-Vis spectroscopic methods were used to determine the ligand binding modes, the binding constant, and the stability of DNA in flavonoid-DNA complexes in aqueous solution. Spectroscopic evidence shows both intercalation and external binding of flavonoids to DNA duplex with overall binding constants of K(morin) = 5.99 x 10(3) M(-1), K(apigenin) = 7.10 x 10(4) M(-1), and K(naringin) = 3.10 x 10(3) M(-1). The affinity of ligand-DNA binding is in the order of apigenin > morin > naringin. DNA aggregation and a partial B- to A-DNA transition occurs upon morin, apigenin, and naringin complexation.
    DNA and cell biology 05/2008; 27(8):433-42. · 2.28 Impact Factor
  • Article: Interaction of arsenic trioxide As2O3 with DNA and RNA.
    [show abstract] [hide abstract]
    ABSTRACT: Arsenic salts have been used for centuries to treat a variety of medical conditions ranging from infectious disease to cancer. More recently, trivalent arsenic trioxide was found to exhibit high antitumor activity towards hematological malignancies. Even though much is known about antitumor activity and DNA damage by As2O3, there has been no report on the interaction of arsenic trioxide with isolated DNA or RNA. Therefore, it was of interest to examine the interaction of As2O3 with DNA and RNA in aqueous solution at physiological pH. FTIR and UV-visible difference spectroscopic methods were used to characterize the nature of drug-DNA and drug-RNA interactions and to determine the As binding site, the binding constant, the sequence selectivity, the helix stability, and the biopolymer secondary structure in the As2O3-polynucleotide complexes in vitro. The FTIR spectroscopic studies were conducted with As2O3-polynucleotide (phosphate) ratios of 1/40, 1/20, 1/10, and 1/5, with a final DNA (P) or RNA (P) concentration of 6.25 mmol/l. Spectroscopic results showed As2O3 binds to DNA and RNA at G-C, A-T, and A-U bases, and no interaction with the backbone PO2 group. As2O3-DNA and -RNA adducts showed one type of binding with overall binding constant of K(As2O3-DNA) = 1.24 x 10(5) M(-1) and K(As2O3-RNA) = 2.60 x 10(5) M(-1). The As2O3-polynucleotide complexation is associated with a partial biopolymer aggregation and no major alterations of B-DNA or A-RNA structure.
    DNA and Cell Biology 11/2005; 24(10):634-40. · 2.07 Impact Factor
  • Article: AZT-DNA interaction.
    [show abstract] [hide abstract]
    ABSTRACT: Oxidative DNA damage has been reported in fetal tissues by exposure to 3'-azido-3'-deoxythymidine (AZT). AZT has been used effectively for the treatment of human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1) and AIDS. It showed in vitro to block the nucleoside-binding site of the viral reverse transcriptase and to inhibit DNA replication by chain termination. It incorporates into both nuclear and mitochondrial DNA and is shown to cause cancer in vivo and in vitro. This study was designed to examine the interaction of AZT with DNA in aqueous solution at physiological condition, using different drug/DNA (phosphate) molar ratios (r) of 1/80 to 1/2 and constant DNA concentration of 12.5 mM (phosphate). Capillary electrophoresis, FTIR, and UV-visible difference spectroscopic methods and molecular modeling were used to determine the drug binding sites, the binding constants and the effects of the AZT complexation on DNA conformation. Structural analysis showed that AZT binds to DNA through G-C and A-T base pairs and the backbone PO(2) groups with two binding constants of K(1) = 2.60 x 10(5) M(-1) and K(2) = 1.20 x 10(5) M(-1). The drug distributions are 50% with G-C, 15% with A-T and 35% with the backbone phosphate group. AZT-DNA interaction is associated with a partial B- to A-DNA conformational transition.
    DNA and Cell Biology 04/2004; 23(3):135-40. · 2.07 Impact Factor
  • Article: Interaction of metal ions with caffeine and theophylline: stability and structural features.
    [show abstract] [hide abstract]
    ABSTRACT: The interactions of caffeine and theophylline with divalent cadmium, mercury, strontium and barium ions were studied in aqueous solution and physiological pH. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and absorption spectra were used to determine the cation binding mode and association constants. Spectroscopic results showed that Cd(2+), Hg(2+), Sr(2+) and Ba(2+) bind strongly to caffeine and theophylline. Direct and indirect (through metal hydration shell) interactions were observed for caffeine and theophylline with Cd(2+), Hg(2+), Sr(2+) and Ba(2+) through O6 and N9 (caffeine) and O6, N9 and N7 atoms (theophylline). The overall binding constants are:k(Cd-caffeine) = 1.24 x 10(5) M(-1), k(Hg-caffeine) = 1.74 x 10(5) M(-1), k(Sr- caffeine) = 3.3 x 10(4) M(-1), k(Ba-caffeine) = 1.8 x 10(4) M(-1), k(Cd-theophylline) = 5.75 x 10(5) M(-1), k(Hg-theophylline) = 2.14 x 10(5) M(-1), k(Sr-theophylline) = 4.6 x 10(4) M(-1), k(Ba-theophylline) = 3 x 10(4) M(-1). These k values are evidence for weak and strong cation interactions in these metal complexes.
    Journal of biomolecular structure & dynamics 11/2003; 21(2):289-96. · 4.99 Impact Factor
  • Article: Interaction of antitumor drug Sn(CH3)2Cl2 with DNA and RNA
    [show abstract] [hide abstract]
    ABSTRACT: Sn(CH3)2Cl2 exerts its antitumor activity in a specific way. Unlike anticancer cis-Pt(NH3)2Cl2 drug which binds strongly to the nitrogen atoms of DNA bases, Sn(CH3)2Cl2 shows no major affinity towards base binding. Thus, the mechanism of action by which tinorganometallic compounds exert antitumor activity would be different from that of the cisplatin drug. The aim of this study was to examine the binding of Sn(CH3)2Cl2 with calf thymus DNA and yeast RNA in aqueous solutions at pH 7.1–6.6 with constant concentrations of DNA and RNA and various molar ratios of Sn(CH3)2Cl2/DNA (phosphate) and Sn(CH3)2Cl2/RNA of 1/40, 1/20, 1/10, 1/5. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and UV–visible difference spectroscopic methods were used to determine the Sn(CH3)2Cl2 binding mode, binding constant, sequence selectivity and structural variations of Sn(CH3)2Cl2/DNA and Sn(CH3)2Cl2/RNA complexes in aqueous solution. Sn(CH3)2Cl2 hydrolyzes in water to give Sn(CH3)2(OH)2 and [Sn(CH3)2(OH)(H2O)n]+ species. Spectroscopic evidence showed that interaction occurred mainly through (CH3)2Sn(IV) hydroxide and polynucleotide backbone phosphate group with overall binding constant of K(Sn(CH3)2Cl2–DNA)=1.47×105 M−1 and K(Sn(CH3)2Cl2–RNA)=7.33×105 M−1. Sn(CH3)2Cl2 induced no biopolymer conformational changes with DNA remaining in the B-family structure and RNA in A-conformation upon drug complexation.
    Journal of Molecular Structure.
  • Source
    Article: Anti-mutagenic and pro-apoptotic effects of apigenin on human chronic lymphocytic leukemia cells.
    [show abstract] [hide abstract]
    ABSTRACT: Diet can play a vital role in cancer prevention. Nowadays the scientists are looking for food materials which can potentially prevent the cancer occurrence. The purpose of this research is to examine anti-mutagenic and apoptotic effects of apigenin in human lymphoma cells. In present study human chronic lymphocytic leukemia (Eheb cell line) were cultured in RPMI 1640 (Sigma), supplemented with 10% fetal calf serum, penicillin-streptomycin, L-glutamine and incubated at 37 ºC for 2 days. In addition cancer cell line was treated by and apigenin and cellular vital capacity was determined by MTT assay. Then effect of apigenin in human lymphoma B cells was examined by flow cytometry techniques. The apigenin was subsequently evaluated in terms of anti-mutagenic properties by a standard reverse mutation assay (Ames test). This was performed with histidine auxotroph strain of Salmonella typhimurium (TA100). Thus, it requires histidine from a foreign supply to ensure its growth. The aforementioned strain gives rise to reverted colonies when exposed to sodium azide as a carcinogen substance. During MTT assay, human chronic lymphocytic leukemia revealed to have a meaningful cell death when compared with controls (P<0.01) Apoptosis was induced suitably after 48 hours by flow cytometry assay. In Ames test apigenin prevented the reverted mutations and the hindrance percent of apigenin was 98.17%.These results have revealed apigenin induced apoptosis in human lymphoma B cells in vitro.
    Acta medica Iranica 48(5):283-8.
  • Article: Stability and structural features of DNA intercalation with ethidium bromide, acridine orange and methylene blue
    [show abstract] [hide abstract]
    ABSTRACT: Ethidium bromide (EB), acridine orange (AO), methylene blue (MB) and other fluorescent compounds are often used to probe DNA structure in drug–DNA and protein–DNA interactions. They bind nucleic acids via intercalative mode and cause major changes to DNA and RNA structures. The aim of this study was to examine the stability and structural features of calf-thymus DNA complexes with EB, AO and MB in aqueous solution, using constant DNA concentration (12.5 mM) and various pigment/DNA(P) ratios of 1/40, 1/20, 1/10, 1/4 and 1/2. FTIR, UV–visible spectroscopy and isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) are used to determine the ligand intercalation and external binding modes, the binding constant and the stability of pigment–DNA complexes in aqueous solution. Structural analysis showed major intercalation of EB, AO and MB into polynucleotides G–C and A–T base pairs with minor external binding and overall binding constants of KEB = 6.58 × 104 M−1, KAO = 2.69 × 104 M−1 and KMB = 2.13 ×104 M−1. The overall binding constants estimated by UV–visible spectroscopy are consistent with thermodynamic data obtained by ITC, which showed ΔH(EB) = −13.58 kJ/mol, ΔH(AO) = −14.63 kJ/mol and ΔH(MB) = −13.87 kJ/mol with dissociation constants of KEB = 15 μM, KAO = 36 μM and KMB = 46 μM.
    Journal of Molecular Structure. 827:35-43.