Binding studies of paeonolum with bovine serum albumin using spectroscopic methods

Fluorescence and UV spectroscopic techniques were used to investigate the interaction of Paeonolum, one of the major bioactive components isolated from the bark of peony plant, with bovine serum albumin (BSA). Results obtained reveal that a binding interaction occurs between paeonolum and BSA under physiological conditions, and the interaction can quench the fluorescence of BSA originating from the complex formation between paeonolum and BSA. In addition, according to the thermodynamics parameters of this interaction process, it appears that this binding interaction is mainly hydrophobic in nature.