Protective effect of ferulic acid on ionizing radiation induced damage in bovine serum albumin

Abstract

Background: Ionizing radiaƟ on causes deleterious effects on living system mainly due to oxidaƟ ve damages of macromolecules and protein is the major target due to its abundance. The aim of this study was to invesƟ gate the effects of ionizing radiaƟ on induced changes in the molecular properƟ es of bovine serum albumin (BSA); its secondary and terƟ ary structures, degradaƟ on, cross linking and radioprotecƟ ve role of ferulic acid, a natural anƟ oxidant on these radiaƟ on induced changes. Materials and Methods: This study was carried out to invesƟ gate the gamma radiaƟ on induced oxidaƟ ve, structural damage of BSA and radioprotecƟ ve efficacy of ferulic acid through SDS-PAGE, DTNB assay, DNPH assay, FOX assay methods. Hydroxyl radical scavenging capacity of ferulic acid was esƟ mated using 2-deoxy ribose assay. Further, radiaƟ on induced changes in the anisotropy and excitaƟ on state lifeƟ mes of BSA were examined. Results: SDS -PAGE data suggested that the loss of protein was linearly dependent on the radiaƟ on dose. Gamma-irradiaƟ on of BSA caused the formaƟ on of protein carbonyls, hydroperoxides and loss of thiols . Ferulic acid protected the radiaƟ on induced loss of protein as well as reduced various oxidaƟ ve damages. Ferulic acid protected the protein from radiaƟ on induced damages in a concentraƟ on dependent manner. Conclusion: The results provide insight into radiaƟ on induced molecular changes in the protein. Ferulic acid protected the BSA from oxidaƟ ve modificaƟ on caused by radiaƟ on suggesƟ ng that ferulic acid possesses strong anƟ radical properƟ es. Ferulic acid is known to protect DNA, the prime target of radiaƟ on and further its ability to protect protein suggesƟ ng its ability to protect different biomolecules and therefore can be a good candidate for development radioprotector.