Spectroscopic investigation on the interaction of 3,7-dihydroxyflavone with different isomers of human serum albumin

The interaction mechanism of 3,7-dihydroxyflavone (3,7-diHF) and human serum albumin (HSA) was investigated by fluorescence quenching, fluorescence enhancement, steady-state and time-resolved fluorescence emission and UV-vis absorption spectrometry. The binding site of 3,7-diHF on protein was determined by investigating the spectroscopic properties of 3,7-diHF-HSA complex at pH 7.4 and pH 3.5 individually, and confirmed by the site marker competitive experiments. The binding parameters of 3,7-diHF-HSA complex were estimated by fluorescence quenching experiments, and the data were in good agreement with the results obtained from fluorescence enhancement measurements. A remarkable increase in the fluorescence anisotropy values suggested that 3,7-diHF bound at a motional restricted pocket on HSA. The results indicated that 3,7-diHF, in anionic form, was bound within the hydrophobic pockets of the subdomain IIA of HSA (site I), and stabilised mainly by electrostatic force and ionic interactions. The binding mode of drug-protein was discussed based on above experimental results.