Investigation of the Interaction Mechanism between Salbutamol and Human Serum Albumin by Multispectroscopic and Molecular Docking

Salbutamol (SBAL), a kind of short-acting beta 2-adrenergic agonist, has been mainly used to treat bronchial asthma and other allergic airway diseases clinically. In this study, the interaction mechanism between salbutamol and human serum albumin was researched by the multispectral method and molecular docking. The fluorescence intensity of HSA could be regularly enhanced with the increase of SBAL concentration. Both the results of the multispectral method and molecular docking showed that SBAL could bind HSA with van der Waals force and hydrogen bonds. The binding mechanism was further analysed by UV-Vis and synchronous fluorescence spectra. The contents of the secondary structure of free HSA and SBAL-HSA complex were evaluated using CD spectra.

Synchronous fluorescence spectra of water contaminated by dispersed crude oil

The development of petroleum extraction and transport technology does not ensure complete isolation of these substances from the natural environment. This problem is exacerbated by the location of mining equipment on the sea shelf and the fact that numerous submarine pipelines, tankers and handling terminals can also emit oil pollution. Therefore, the possibility of detecting oil dispersed in the water is particularly important. This paper reports the efforts to identify methods of characterization of the water containing the crude oil emulsion in a very low concentration (a few to several tens of ppm). Due to this, the effect of emulsion concentration on the possibility of its objective characterization using synchronous fluorescence spectra was studied. The similarity of spectra at various oil concentrations was analysed. It has been shown that the stabilization of the shape of synchronous fluorescence spectra occurs at relatively low oil concentrations.

Simultaneous evaluation of losartan and amlodipine besylate using second-derivative synchronous spectrofluorimetric technique and liquid chromatography with time-programmed fluorimetric detection

This study is concerned with two sensitive, fast and reproducible approaches; namely, second-derivative synchronous fluorimetry (method I) and reversed phase high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorimetric detection (method II) for synchronized evaluation of losartan (LOS) and amlodipine besylate (AML). Method I is based on measuring second-derivative synchronous fluorescence spectra of LOS and AML at Δ λ = 80 nm in water. The experimental factors influencing the synchronous fluorescence of the considered compounds were sensibly adjusted. The chromatographic analysis was executed on a Nucleodur MN-C18 column of dimensions; 250 × 4.6 mm i.d. and 5 µm particle size). The fluorimetric detection was time-programmed at λ em = 440 nm for AML (0.0–7.5 min) and at λ em = 400 nm for LOS (7.5–10 min) after excitation at λ ex = 245 nm. The mobile phase is a blend of acetonitrile with 0.02 M phosphate buffer in a proportion of 45 : 55, pH 4.0, pumped using a flow rate of 1 ml min −1 . The calibration plots were established to be 0.1–4.0 µg ml −1 for both drugs in method I and 0.05–4.0 µg ml −1 for both drugs in method II. The study was extended to the evaluation of the two drugs in their co-formulated tablets.

Studies on the Interaction between Three Small Flavonoid Molecules and Bovine Lactoferrin

The interaction between three flavonoids, i.e., Luteolin (LTL), Quercetin (QCT), and Naringenin (NGN) and bovine lactoferrin (BLF) at pH 7.4 was investigated by fluorescence quenching spectra, synchronous fluorescence spectra, and UV-visible absorption spectra. The results indicate the fluorescence of BLF quenched by Luteolin (LTL), Quercetin (QCT), and Naringenin (NGN) via static quenching. The main force between QCT and LTL with BLF was van der Waals interactions and hydrogen bonds. Electrostatic interactions played a major role in the binding process of interaction between NGN and BLF. Synchronous fluorescence was used to study the conformational changes of BLF. The values of binding constant (Ka) and number of binding sites (n) at different temperatures (300K, 305K, 310K) were also calculated, respectively. The results of corresponding thermodynamic parameters as well as binding distance between BLF and LTL, QCT, or GNG were obtained. These results implied that Luteolin (LTL), Quercetin (QCT), and Naringenin (NGN) could provide important guides for compound quantity (e.g., medicine dosage) and the design of new compounds (or drugs).

HPLC separation and determination of dicoumarol and other simple coumarins in sweet clover

Dicoumarol is a mycotoxin, that acts as a blood anticoagulant, is formed during the microbial action of molds and fungi in spoiled hay or silage containing high-coumarin plant. A HPLC-DAD method for determination of coumarins, including dicoumarol, coumarin, and 4-hydroxycoumarin was developed. Methanol and acetic acid were used as mobile phase with gradient elution. The simultaneous separation was performed using C18 type of stationary phase. The recoveries were 88.6 – 92.6 %, 91.8 – 95.0 %, and 89.7 – 94.1 % (evaluated for three concentration levels) for dicoumarol, coumarin, and 4-hydroxycoumarin respectively. The parameters of system suitability (repeatability of retention times and peak areas) were determined for evaluation of the method. The method showed a good linearity in the concentration range 0.7 – 100 μg.mL−1for dicoumarol, 0.05 – 100 μg.mL−1for coumarin and 4-hydroxycoumarin with correlation coefficients higher than 0.9885. Extracts of sweet clover herb, hay, and spoiled hay were subjected to HPLC-DAD analysis. The most abundant compound in sweet clover herb and hay extracts was coumarin. In spoiled sweet clover hay extract the 4-hydroxycoumarin was detected in addition. The formation of 4-hydroxycoumarin was also observed in the synchronous fluorescence spectra recorded at the wavelength difference of 90 nm (difference between emission and excitation wavelength).

Characterization by fluorescence of dissolved organic matter in rural drinking water storage tanks in Morocco

Water storage tanks, fed directly from the river through opened channels, are particular systems used for water supply in rural areas in Morocco. The stored water is used as drinking water by the surrounding population without any treatment. UV-visible spectroscopy and fluorescence spectroscopy (excitation-emission matrices and synchronous fluorescence) have been tested as rapid methods to assess the quality of the water stored in the reservoirs as well as along the river feeding them. Synchronous fluorescence spectra (SFS50), collected with a difference of 50 nm between excitation and emission wavelengths, revealed a high tryptophan-like fluorescence, indicative of a pollution induced by untreated domestic and/or farm wastewater. The best correlations were obtained between the total SFS50 fluorescence and dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and biological oxygen demand, showing that the contribution of humic-like fluorescent substances cannot be neglected to rapidly assess reservoir water quality in terms of DOC by fluorescence spectroscopy.