COMPLEXATION OF CURCUMIN WITH BOVINE SERUM ALBUMIN AND DIPHTHERIA TOXOID CRM197

Aim. The goal of the study is to demonstrate the binding sites for curcumin on the protein carriers - bovine serum albumin and diphtheria toxoid CRM197. BSA was chosen as a potential non-specific protein carrier because of its widely used in medicine as a drug carrier. Methods. In the investigation, both spectrophotometric and molecular docking methods were used. Results. Two stable binding sites were demonstrated for BSA to bind curcumin. CRM197 was taken as a well-studied carrier protein with its own antitumor activity and has been investigated as a specific carrier with a high affinity for cancer cells with overexpression of epidermal growth factor receptor. Our results showed one possible curcumin binding site, making CRM197 an ideal specific curcumin delivery platform that provides at least an additive effect in anticancer therapies. Conclusions. In conclusion, both studied proteins form stable complexes with curcumin that can lay in base of the commercial drug application.