Flavone (Fl), genistein (Gen) and kaempferol (Kol) were studied for their
affinities towards human serum albumin (HSA) in the presence and absence of
Pb2+,Cu2+,Zn2+,Mg2+ and Mn2+. The fluorescence intensities of HSA decreased
with increasing concentration of the three flavonoids. Kaempferol resulted in
a blue-shift of the ?em of HSA from 336 to 330 nm; flavone showed an obvious
red-shift of the ?em of HSA from 336 to 342 nm; genistein did not cause an
obvious blue-shift or red-shift of the ?em of HSA. However, the extents of
?em-shifts induced by the flavonoids in the presence of metal ions were much
bigger than that in the absence of mental ions. Pb2+,Cu2+,Zn2+,Mg2+ and Mn2+
reduced the quenching constants of the flavonoids for HSA by 14.6% to 60.7% ,
28% to 67.9%,3.5% to 59.4%, 23.2% to 63.7% and 14% to 65%, respectively. The
affinities of flavone, genistein and kaempferol for HSA decreased about
10.84%, 10.05%and 3.56% in the presence of Pb2+, respectively. Cu2+ decreased
the affinities of flavone, genistein and kaempferol for HSA about 14.04%,
5.14%and 8.89%, respectively. Zn2+ decreased the affinities of flavone,
genistein and kaempferol for HSA about 3.79%, 0.55% and 3.58%, respectively.
Mg2+ decreased the affinities of flavone, genistein and kaempferol for HSA
about 16.94%, 2.94%and 7.04%, respectively. Mn2+ decreased the affinities of
flavone, genistein and kaempferol for HSA about 14.24%, 3.66% and 4.78%,
respectively.