Evaluation of DNA damage induced by acesulfame potassium: spectroscopic, molecular modeling simulations and toxicity studies

Molecular docking study of frequently used food additives for selected targets depending on the chromosomal abnormalities they cause

Food additives (FAs) (flavor enhancers, sweeteners, etc.) protect foods during storage and transportation, making them attractive to consumers. Today, while the desire to access natural foods is increasing, the chemicals added to foods have started to be questioned. In this respect, genotoxicity tests have gained importance. Studies show that some food additives may have genotoxic risks. Previous studies carried out in our laboratory also revealed genotoxic effects of Monopotassium glutamate (MPG), Monosodium glutamate (MSG), Magnesium diglutamate (MDG) as flavor enhancers; Potassium benzoate (PB), Potassium sorbate (PS), Sodium benzoate (SB), Sodium sorbate (SS) as preservatives; Acesulfame potassium (ACE-K), Xylitol (XYL) as sweeteners. In this study, we determined the interactions of these food additives with ATM and p53 proteins, which are activated in the cell due to genotoxic effects, and with DNA by employing the molecular docking method for the first time. Among the food additives, SB (-4.307) for ATM, XYL (-4.629) for p53, and XYL (-4.927) for DNA showed the highest affinity. Therefore, flexible docking (IFD) scores were determined for SB, XYL, and MDG from flavor enhancers. The potential binding modes of the food additives to target molecules' possible inhibition mechanisms were determined by molecular docking. Thus, new information was obtained to show how these additives cause chromosomal abnormalities.

Molecular interaction of antiviral drug penciclovir with DNA and HSA insights from experimental and docking studies

One approach to accelerate the availability of new cancer drugs is to test drugs approved for other conditions as anticancer agents. During recent decades, penciclovir (PNV) has been frequently utilized as a potent antiviral drug, in particular against infections caused by herpes viruses. Many antivirals interact with DNA and change their expression level, so determining the binding mode is of great importance. In our laboratory, we have focused our attention to design improved drugs that target cellular DNA, to understand the mechanism of action at the molecular level, and also to investigate the effect of antiviral drugs as anticancer agents. The results of ct-DNA-PNV interactions at physiological pH using fluorescence spectroscopy, UV-visible absorption spectroscopy, and molecular modeling reveal this drug binds well to ct-DNA through groove binding. The circular dichroism measurements displayed that PNV caused a slight change in the DNA structure which affirmed that the binding of PNV with the DNA occurs through the groove mode. Besides, multi-spectroscopic and molecular docking were used to evaluate how PNV interacts with human serum albumin under physiological conditions. The findings of fluorescence quenching suggested that static quenching was involved in the spontaneous development of HSA-PNV complex through hydrophobic force. The docking simulation results validated the findings of spectroscopic techniques.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.