Spectroscopic studies on the interaction characteristics between norethisterone and bovine serum albumin

► Quenching mechanism of BSA fluorescence by NET was discussed. ► The van der Waals interaction and hydrogen bonding play major roles in the binding. ► Primary binding of NET located at site I in subdomain IIA of BSA. ► Conformational change of BSA in the existence of NET, Cd(II) or/and Se(IV) ions was observed.