Biophysical studies on curcumin–deoxyribonucleic acid interaction: Spectroscopic and calorimetric approach

• Curcumin binds to the minor groove of DNA.
• The binding was favored by large negative enthalpy.
• The binding was favored by a smaller positive entropic contribution.
• The binding was driven by multiple weak noncovalent forces.

The interaction of the dietary pigment curcumin with herring testes deoxyribonucleic acid was studied by biophysical and microcalorimetric techniques. Curcumin bound to DNA exhibiting hypochromic effect in absorbance and enhanced intensity of its fluorescence. The binding a affinity value evaluated from spectroscopy data was of the order 104 M−1. The quantum efficiency value testified the occurrence of energy transfer from the DNA base pairs to the curcumin molecules. Displacement studies of DNA bound DAPI, Hoechst and ethidium bromide suggested binding of curcumin to be in the minor groove of the DNA. Moderate conformational perturbations of the B-form structure of DNA occurred on binding. The binding affinity weakened as the DNA GC content enhanced. The binding was characterized by negative enthalpy and positive entropy changes; the binding affinity from calorimetry was in good agreement with that evaluated from the spectral data. The binding was dominated by hydrophobic and other non-polyelectrolytic forces; the polyelectrolytic forces contributing only a quarter to the total Gibbs energy at 50 mM [Na+].