Spectroscopic and calorimetric studies of interaction of methimazole with human serum albumin

The interaction of the anti-thyroid drug, 2-mercapto 1-methylimidazole (methimazole) with human serum albumin (HSA) has been examined by fluorescence and isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) techniques. Fluorescence results indicate that in case of HSA-drug complex the quenching of fluorescence intensity is at 340 nm. The methimazole has an ability to quench the intrinsic fluorescence of HSA tryptophan through a static quenching procedure. The binding constant has been determined using Stern-Volmer modified equation and energy transfer mechanisms of quenching are discussed. The ΔG°, ΔH°, and ΔS° values are also calculated by ITC measurements. The experimental spectroscopic and thermodynamic parameters have been used for understanding the binding mechanism of anti-thyroid drug with HSA.