Binding of the bioflavonoid robinetin with model membranes and hemoglobin: Inhibition of lipid peroxidation and protein glycosylation

Recent years have witnessed burgeoning interest in plant flavonoids as novel therapeutic drugs targeting cellular membranes and proteins. Motivated by this scenario, we explored the binding of robinetin (3,7,3′,4′,5′-pentahydroxyflavone, a bioflavonoid with remarkable ‘two color’ intrinsic fluorescence properties), with egg yolk phosphatidylcholine (EYPC) liposomes and normal human hemoglobin (HbA), using steady state and time resolved fluorescence spectroscopy. Distinctive fluorescence signatures obtained for robinetin indicate its partitioning (K_p = 8.65 × 10⁴) into the hydrophobic core of the membrane lipid bilayer. HbA–robinetin interaction was examined using both robinetin fluorescence and flavonoid-induced quenching of the protein tryptophan fluorescence. Specific interaction with HbA was confirmed from three lines of evidence: (a) bimolecular quenching constant K_q ? diffusion controlled limit; (b) closely matched values of Stern–Volmer quenching constant and binding constant; (c) τ₀/τ = 1 (where τ₀ and τ are the unquenched and quenched tryptophan fluorescence lifetimes, respectively). Absorption spectrophotometric assays reveal that robinetin inhibits EYPC membrane lipid peroxidation and HbA glycosylation with high efficiency.