@article { author = {Mehranfar, Fahimeh and Bordbar, Abdol-Khalegh and Amiri, Razieh}, title = {In Vitro Cytotoxic Activity and Binding Properties of Curcumin in the Presence of β-Casein Micelle Nanoparticles}, journal = {Biomacromolecular Journal}, volume = {1}, number = {1}, pages = {69-79}, year = {2015}, publisher = {Iran Society of Biophysical Chemistry (ISOBC)}, issn = {7280-2423}, eissn = {}, doi = {}, abstract = {Curcumin (CUR) is the active curcuminoid with many physiological, biochemical, and pharmacological properties. Solubility and stability of CUR is the limiting factors for realizing its therapeutic potential. Bovine β-casein is an abundant milk protein that is highly amphiphilic and self-assembles into stable micellar nanoparticles in aqueous solution. β-Casein nanoparticle can solubilize CUR molecules. In the present study, we introduced a drug-delivery system comprising hydrophobic anticancer drug, CUR, entrapped within β-casein-based nanoparticles. The interaction of CUR with β-casein was investigated using steady-state fluorescence spectroscopy and molecular docking calculation. Results showed that at pH 7, CUR molecules bind to β-casein micelle and formed complexes through hydrophobic interactions. Förster energy transfer measurements and molecular docking studies suggested that CUR molecules bind to the hydrophobic core of β-casein. The binding parameters including number of substantive binding sites and the binding constant were evaluated by fluorescence quenching method. Additionally, the cytotoxicity of free CUR and CUR-β-casein complex to human breast cancer cell line MCF7 was evaluated in vitro. The study revealed that the CUR-β-casein complex exhibited better cytotoxic effects on MCF7 cells compared to equal dose of free CUR.}, keywords = {curcumin,β-Casein micelle,Fluorescence quenching,Cytotoxicity,Molecular Docking}, url = {https://www.bmmj.org/article_12730.html}, eprint = {https://www.bmmj.org/article_12730_15ab49ddee2db32fb8da0d0ce162cc97.pdf} }